Important Information Regarding the Coronavirus

By Buffalo Medical Group | March 3 2020 | BMG News & Updates

At Buffalo Medical Group, the safety of our patients and our team is our highest priority. We understand there is a great deal of misinformation surrounding the Coronavirus, so we want to ensure we are keeping our patients up-to-date with the most accurate information.

We want to emphasize that if you suspect you could have Coronavirus, please do not come to the office. You should call your doctor, at which time they will make the decision on how to best treat you.

The New York State Department of Health and the Erie County Health Department recommend considering Coronavirus if the following criteria are reported:

• Fever (100.4 or higher) and symptoms of lower respiratory illness (e.g., cough, shortness of breath)
• Fever and symptoms of lower respiratory illness (e.g. cough shortness of breath) and close contact with a person who is under investigation for 2019-nCOV (coronavirus) while that person was ill.
• Fever and symptoms of lower respiratory illness (e.g., cough shortness of breath) and in the last 14 days before symptom onset had close contact with an ill laboratory-confirmed 2019-nCoV (Coronavirus) patient.

If you are experiencing flu and lower respiratory symptoms, we ask that you do not come into our offices. If you have a scheduled appointment, please call us to cancel. If you are experiencing flu or lower respiratory symptoms, please call your physician to discuss the best course of action, or conduct an e-visit through MyBMGChart.

What can you do to protect yourself and others?

• Wash your hands! The best thing you can do to stop the spread of germs is wash your hands frequently. Hand washing should last no less than 20 seconds, or use an alchohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Use Lysol wipes at your work stations, to clean door handles, computer keyboards and other surfaces you are coming in contact frequently. Lysol kills the Coronavirus germs.
• Keep your hands away from your face and mouth.
• If you think you may be at risk, or are experiencing symptoms, limit contact with family and contact us through MyBMGChart, or by calling your primary care physician so a treatment plan can be determined that best fits your needs.