Maternal Resources

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Updated 03/19/2020

*What to do if you think you have COVID-19*
If you have a fever (temperature over 99F via oral thermometer) please
notify our office right away. We will then direct you to either self
isolate or contact hackensack hospital through the app at
ConvenientCareNow.com (link on this page to schedule a
telehealth visit (digitally) to determine if testing for COVID-19 is
appropriate or what the next steps need to be. Emergency care for COVID-19
need only be sought at this time if you are having any difficulty
breathing, pain with breathing or shortness of breath.

What to do if you come in contact with someone with COVID-19 but have no
symptoms.

Please, as always, practice social distancing, self isolate, and call the
NJ COVID-19 hotline at 1 800-222-1222 to determine if testing is
appropriate for you. Notify our staff if you think you have been exposed.

We’d also like to inform you that a drive through testing center is opening
up in Bergen County at the Community College. The visits will be
appointment only. To make an appointment for testing call the NJ state
hotline 800-222-1222

Riverside Medical has two drive-through locations. linked here. Staten Island also has opened a drive through testing location.

Patients with symptoms concerning for COVID-19 are evaluated through a
telemedicine platform and if they meet certain criteria are scheduled for
drive thru testing and evaluation at the Command Center. This process
minimizes exposure to COVID-19 positive patients to clinical offices and
the community at large.

The Staff at IO

As always, we follow strict OSHA guidelines to make sure our office stays clean and safe.   All instruments are sterilized, and all surfaces are disinfected between patients according to the highest medical standards.  

We have a few requests for our patients:

Please notify our front desk staff via phone if you have a fever, cough, or have been exposed to someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 or have traveled to the following countries in the last 14 days (China, Korea, Iran, Italy, France, Germany, Japan, the UK, or Spain). Contact our staff and we will make other arrangements for your office visit. To protect our patients and staff, we are asking women to come to their appointments alone, without family or children. We understand the disappointment and we empathize. We appreciate your sacrifices to keep our community safe. Upon entering the office, please utilize the hand sanitizer. Please wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds with soap (not hand sanitizer) when using the bathroom. Please reschedule your appointment if you or someone in your home is sick. If you are traveling into Manhattan for work or other reasons, please notify us and accomodations may beed to be made for your visit.

*With any difficulty breathing or Shortness of Breath call our office immediately.

As of March 16, 2020, we are advising any pregnant woman with an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes, asthma, heart disease, high blood pressure, or any auto-immune disorder to stay at home and not go into work.

In addition, for everyone’s safety, Hackensack Hospital has changed their visitor policy to only allow one visitor/coach/support person during labor. See their updated info here.

What we know about pregnancy

Minimal information is available regarding peripartum coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In two reports including a total of 18 pregnant women with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia, there was no laboratory evidence of transmission to the fetus. However, two neonatal (once the baby is born) cases of infection have been documented and attributed to close contact with infected adults; the source and time of transmission in the other case were unclear. The approach to prevention, evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of pregnant women with suspected COVID-2019 should be similar to that in nonpregnant individuals.

How is it spread?

Understanding of the transmission risk is incomplete at this time. Person-to-person spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is thought to occur mainly via respiratory droplets, resembling the spread of the flu. With droplet transmission, virus released in the respiratory secretions when a person with the infection coughs, sneezes, or talks can infect another person if it makes direct contact with the mucous membranes; infection can also occur if a person touches an infected surface and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth. Droplets typically do not travel more than six feet (about two meters) and do not linger in the air. Remember, there are healthcare workers that are not getting infected that are in contact with patients every day and are not getting sick because they are taking the proper precautions.

What is the incubation period and severity?

The incubation period for COVID-19 is thought to be within 14 days following exposure, with most cases occurring approximately four to five days after exposure. Most infections (approximately 81%) are not severe. Most of the fatal cases have occurred in patients with advanced age or underlying medical comorbidities.   Please understand this information is subject to change daily
For more information in NJ call 1-800-222-1222 or visit https://www.nj.gov/health/
For more information in NY Call 1-888-364-3065 or visit healthyny.gov
For Hackensack Hospital Updates please visit COVID-19 HUMC
For updates from the CDC and the Health and Human Services Department please visit each respective website.   As of now, we are advising pregnant women without an underlying medical condition to follow their employer’s guidelines on working from home, and we are recommending to call in sick, self-quarantine and notify our office with any signs of symptoms of flu-like symptoms or fever.

This email was updated as of March 13, 2020. As always we advise our patients to refer to the center for disease control (CDC) for the latest and most accurate information regarding public health and pregnancy health CDC.gov

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Stay home when you are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask. CDC does not recommend that people who are well wearing a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility). Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

For information about handwashing, see CDC’s Handwashing website

For information specific to healthcare, see CDC’s Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings.

These are everyday habits that can help prevent the spread of several viruses. CDC does have specific guidance for travelers.