It’s a New Year and here we all are still riding this unpredictable roller coaster. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to work through all the logistics and changes that this pandemic continues to bring. We are doing our best to keep up with supply chain issues and the required paperwork or procedures. We continue to work hard to make sure that we always give every patient the best care.
FLU:
We are seeing increasing numbers of flu cases across the country. It’s not too late to get your vaccine. Please call to schedule a nurse visit. If you are coming to the office for your annual physical, we will offer it to you at that time.
COVID:
We continue to see high numbers of positive cases. If you test positive on a home test or at an outside lab, please call our office to set up a Telemed appointment. Although the symptoms have been mostly mild, there are still some things that we would like to review and give guidance in the management of COVID.
OMICRON
Omicron is the predominant strain in the U.S. As many of our families know already, it is very contagious and spreading very easily. We have seen a significant increase in children hospitalized with COVID. The majority of those hospitalized were either not vaccinated or not able to be vaccinated. This is in stark contrast to a year ago, when there were very few children hospitalized. If your child is 5 years old and above, please get them vaccinated. For those who are 12 years and older eligible for a booster, which by definition is 5 months after your second dose, please get it.
COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots | CDC
We firmly believe in the value of the COVID vaccines and encourage everyone to get them. If you have any concerns and would like to speak with us, please call.
The links below will help you find where you can schedule your vaccine:
YALE NEW HAVEN SITE: 150 SARGENT DRIVE FLIER
YALE NEW HAVEN: GET YOUR COVID-19 VACCINE
WALGREENS: COVID-19 VACCINE * Tip: click on Walgreens Vaccine scheduler
STOP AND SHOP: COVID-19 VACCINE
NEW ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE GUIDELINES:
We haven’t been using the correct vocabulary. In the past, we were using the term quarantine for everything. It’s more nuanced than that. Isolation is used for those individuals that are positive for COVID. Quarantine is used for those who have had direct exposure to a COVID positive individual. The following link to the CDC explains it well.
COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation | CDC
The guidelines were updated in late December. Day zero is when you test positive or when you start with symptoms. The key changes include shortening the isolation period to five days. After 5 days, IF you were fever free for 24 hours and had diminished to no symptoms, you can return to work or school. You should wear an appropriately fitting mask upon your return.
Masking is still very important in stopping the spread of COVID.
The following link has a great table breaking down the isolation and quarantine guidelines in an easy-to- read format.
COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation | CDC
TESTING:
The Federal Government is helping families obtain rapid test kits. Each household is limited to four tests.
Please order your free rapid test kits:
CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR FREE AT HOME COVID-19 TESTS
WINTER CAR SEAT SAFETY:
Winter is a tricky time for car seats. As a general rule, bulky clothing, including winter coats and snowsuits, should not be worn underneath the harness of a car seat.
In a car crash, fluffy padding in a coat immediately flattens out from the force, leaving extra space under the harness. A child can then slip through the straps and be thrown from the seat.
Here are some tips from the AAP/Healthy Children article to help strike that perfect balance between keeping little ones warm as well as safely buckled in their car seats.
Winter Car Seat Safety Tips from the AAP - HealthyChildren.org
WINTER OUTDOOR SPORT SAFETY:
Winter can be a wonderful time for children, especially on a snow day! Kids should be outdoors keeping active. Parents still need to be aware of keeping them safe from injury, frost bite and hypothermia.
Frostbite and hypothermia are different conditions, but some wintertime planning and safety steps can help protect your child from both:
Check the wind chill
In general, playing outside in temperatures or wind chills below -15° Fahrenheit should be avoided. At these temperatures, exposed skin begins to freeze within minutes.
What to wear
Several thin layers will help keep kids warm and dry. Insulated boots, mittens or gloves, and a hat are essential. Make sure children change out of any wet clothes right away.
Take breaks
Set reasonable limits on the amount of time spent playing outside to prevent hypothermia and frostbite. Make sure kids have a place to go for regular indoor breaks to warm up.
See the link below in case your child may have frost bite or hypothermia
AAP Healthy Children.org: Cold Weather Safety
Helmets are important when engaging in skiing, snowboarding and sledding. As the article below mentions, skiing and snowboarding may require special helmets designed for the sport.
AAP Healthychildren.org: Skiing and Snowboarding
A LONG GOODBYE
It is with great JOY and SADNESS, that we announce that Dr. Patrick Alvino will be retiring in the Spring of 2022. He has, over the years, developed wonderful relationships with families. It will be difficult to break them. In anticipation of his retirement, we are requesting that families who routinely see Dr. Alvino make their next physical exam appointment with a new provider. Dr. Alvino will help those families who see him for their mental health concerns to find providers who are appropriate for their child’s needs.