Yonker‘ Free Pre‘‘ THURSDAY MARCH 12, 2020 - BRIAN HARROD PUBLISHER Dr. Ammir Rabadi say that over the last two weeks he has encountered many patients with concerns they may have been exposed to CoVID19 and so far St Johns and St Josephs Hospital has not had one positive case. What To Do If You Are Exposed To CoVID-19 By BRIAN HARROD Noted and respected Yonkers Physician Dr. Ammir Rabadi says you should not go to the emergency room, but instead should call your health care provider immediately if you think that you may have been ex- posed to the coronavirus. He says your health care provider should be already familiar with the questioner on how to evaluate pa- tients with possible CoVid19. 1. Have you been traveling re- cently? (China, Iran, Italy, Korea) The countries have increased daily. 2. Has anyone with a positive CoVid19 diagnosis exposed to you? 3. Have you had fevers, headaches, cough with shortness of breath? 4. Are you immune compromised (low immune system from medica- tions or diseases that lower you de- fense system)? Dr. Rabadi has explained that over the last two weeks he has en- countered many patients with con- cerns they may have been exposed to CoVID19 and so far St Johns and St Josephs Hospital has not had one pos- itive case. “We have had several suspected cases however, they have been mostly other viral syndromes such as In- fluenza A and B, Parainfluenza and respiratory Syncyctial Viruses,” Dr Rabadi added. Dr. Rabadi also went over the guidelines for patients that feel they have the CoVID19 “If you have been exposed to someone with the virus or if you trav- eled to the suspected countries you should quarantine yourself. That means stay home and away from your family. Keep in contact with your pri- mary health care provider or call St Johns Hospital’s Corona Virus Team at 914-964-4706. Do Not Go To The Emergency Room! " I have been able to speak to the patients keep them home and talk to them multiple times daily to reassure them, " Dr Rabbadi said. " While quarantined if the symp- toms of fever, cough, shortness of breath and headache increases that patient is brought into the office for a nasal swab screening. " The screening tool is a nasal swab that checks for multiple viruses and the CoVID19. You should call your primary health care provider prior to arrange a private isolated room so you are not in the waiting room with other patients and possibly infected them. If the symptoms worsen then you are directed to the emergency room to a private isolated room for workup and treatment. Yonkers Free Press THURSDAY MARCH 12, 2020 - BRIAN HARROD PUBLISHER 2 All of these actions should be done in coordination with your primary physician. So, in summary call your doctor! They are trained on how to deal with this. Do not go to the emergency room until you speak to your health care provider. If you do not have a health care provider call St Johns Hospital’s cri- sis Corona team at 914-964-4706. Dr. Rabadi also states, “ it is inevitable that over the next several days there will be a positive case in Yonkers.” Prevention is Important Hand sanitizing Clean all surfaces Avoid Hand to face contact Avoid large crowdsmeetings If you see someone with symptoms report them. Lastly Dr Rabadi added, “Please take this seriously, the CoVID19 is not like the Flu because the Flu has a Vaccine, CoVID19 does not” If you have any questions Dr. Rabadi ’ s clinic is located at 656 Yonkers Avenue in Yonkers and the phone number is (914) 476-8855