Dear current and prospective patients:
Over the past 4-plus weeks, Los Angeles County has been under a state of “lockdown.” I am on staff at three area hospitals here in the San Fernando Valley and am updated regularly on Covid-19 admissions, confirmed cases, suspected cases, ICU admissions and deaths. At this time, we have “passed the peak” at all hospitals where I attend. This is not necessarily the case for the entire county, as other areas are still seeing significant numbers of patients.
Plans are now underway for the careful and controlled relaxing of restrictions in a controlled manner. When considering the risks of exposure over the coming months, we must realize that the risk will increase mildly. The increase in risk will not be as significant as during the weeks leading up to the pandemic, when no precautions or restrictions were yet implemented. This risk will not fully decrease until a vaccine or other successful treatment is developed, possibly 18-24 months from now.
Keeping this in mind, I believe it is now appropriate to resume your routine medical care. Delaying routine care, such as an annual physicals, routine colonoscopies, mammograms, and prostate checks, can put your health at greater risk than the potential risk of infection. Medical offices are implementing high levels of anti-infection protocols. At our office, we are implementing multiple layers of anti-infection protocols for your safety and the safety of our staff.
Early detection and treatment of most medical conditions are still the best way of remaining healthy, even during this unprecedented time. I encourage you to take appropriate infection control measures and to resume your routine medical care. Be well and stay well!
Sincerely,
Michael J. Hyman, M.D.