When COVID-19 first presented itself earlier this year, there was so much about the virus that we didn’t understand. Although there remains a lot to learn, we are learning more every day. For most young and middle age people, this infection is not dangerous. For a small percentage of older patients, the infection can be dangerous and even fatal. 

At Integrity, we initially converted nearly all of our encounters to telemedicine in order to ensure that our patients continued to have access to care.  As more evidence has become available, we have opened our doors to in-person.

We believe that we have a responsibility to be there for our patients when they need us.

What We Know:

• Most patients have either mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.
• You can spread the virus even if you do not have symptoms.
• For some patients, COVID can cause severe and even deadly symptoms.
• Older patients and those with underlying health problems are more likely to have severe disease.
• Masks may help decrease the spread of disease.
• You can reduce your risk of severe disease by engaging in a healthier lifestyle.
• There is limited anecdotal data regarding the effectiveness of treatment such as hydroxychloroquine.
• If you have COVID, the likelihood of a false negative test is high if you have had symptoms for less than 4 days.
• If you have COVID or have been exposed, there is NO benefit of seeking medical attention unless you have shortness or breath, confusion, or chest pain.

What We Recommend:

• If you have COVID, you should quarantine for 10 days from the onset of symptoms and until you have had several days of improvement from symptoms.
• You should maintain a healthy body weight and get regular physical exercise.
• If you have mild or moderate symptoms, you need NOT seek medical attention. Doing so only exposes others to the virus and offers no benefit since there is no known cure for COVID. It must run its course.
• If you have symptoms that include shortness of breath, confusion, or chest pain, you should seek medical attention in a local emergency department - regardless of whether or not you might have COVID.

What We INSIST:

• If you have symptoms suggestive of COVID, there is NO benefit to an in-person person visit. Doing so only exposes our staff and patients.
• If you have shortness of breath, confusion, or chest pain, you need to be seen in an emergency department - regardless of whether or not you might have COVID.

Remember, even with this virus in our community, it is still possible to Live Life Well!