Dr. Casale: Take precautions but don’t panic

As many of you were made aware over the weekend, the first case of new coronavirus, called COVID-19, was confirmed in Luzerne County.

That announcement by the Pennsylvania Department of Health hit home for many of us as we realized this issue, which we’d been watching play out on the national and world scales, was affecting our own community.

I had several other topics to choose from this week, but I thought I’d be remiss if I didn’t take this opportunity to share good information concerning COVID-19.

The most important thing — and I’ll stress this once more before I end this column — is to not panic. If you think you may be exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, you should not rush to an emergency department, urgent care facility, or doctor’s office. You should call your primary care physician for guidance.

You can also call Geisinger’s hotline at 570-284-3657 for care guidance or to talk with a nurse.

I’m getting ahead of myself, but I had to lead with a call to stay calm. As a community, we want to be overly prepared for any eventuality, but hysteria will only hinder our ability to take care of one another.

Symptoms of COVID-19 can develop as early as two days and as late as 14 days after a person is exposed. They can be similar to cold or flu symptoms and can include fever, body aches, cough and shortness of breath.

The majority of affected people will experience minimal symptoms and a full recovery. But for those who are older than 60 or who have certain underlying health conditions, COVID-19 can lead to more serious lower respiratory infection and related complications.

We can help the most vulnerable members of our community by practicing social distancing:

· Avoid crowds and public places when possible.

· Stay at least 6 feet away from others.

· Don’t shake hands.

We can also combat the spread of COVID-19 by practicing respiratory hygiene and etiquette:

· Wash your hands frequently, especially after coughing, sneezing and visiting public areas. Alcohol-based sanitizers and wipes with at least 60 percent alcohol are also good options for hand hygiene.

· Cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.

· Avoid touching your face, especially the mouth, nose and eyes.

· Keep frequently touched surfaces clean and disinfected at home, school and the workplace.

Most importantly, if you are feeling sick or showing signs of an illness, stay home from work or school.

Among the most frequently asked questions concerning COVID-19 is whether Geisinger can test for the virus, so here are the current facts:

· Geisinger has the capability to collect samples and test for COVID-19.

· But, we cannot test everyone who asks to be tested.

· Geisinger has the capacity to test patients who need to be tested, but nationally, there isn’t enough capacity to test everyone who simply wants to be tested.

· The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has established screening criteria for COVID-19, and Geisinger will follow those criteria.

I’m going to exercise redundancy for the sake of clarity: You cannot show up to a Geisinger facility and get tested because you want to be. If you meet CDC screening criteria, you will be tested at one of Geisinger’s facilities.

But remember, if you are sick and you think your symptoms may be a result of COVID-19, contact your primary care physician first. Your doctor can advise you on proper treatment, and, if necessary, recommend further testing. You can also use that nurse triage line, 570-284-3657, as a resource for questions about symptoms or the need for further evaluation. Do this before heading to the emergency department or seeking care at your doctor’s office, unless, of course, your symptoms become severe and you have no other options.