Update from Dr. Briggs

Dear Patients,

This is a difficult time for all of us. We at NeighborHealth are determined to be available in order to assist you in any way we can to facilitate your safety in the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are monitoring daily the recommendations from the NC Department of Health and Human Services to make you aware of the latest updates as they occur. Beginning this week:

• Healthy people with mild symptoms should stay home.  Mild symptoms include fever, sore throat and cough (without difficulty breathing). Testing is not recommended.
• People with severe symptoms– shortness of breath, chest pain or pressure, confusion, blue lips or difficulty catching your breath – should call their doctor or 911.
• Anyone with underlying medical conditions – chronic lung disease, heart disease, diabetes, kidney or liver disease, a compromised immune system, age 65+, living in a group situation or severely obese – should contact their doctor for mild symptoms (fever & cough) due to being in a higher risk group. 

Most patients will recover in just a few days with very little discomfort. You may take the usual medicines for colds, available over the counter. COVID-19: What to Do If Your Feel Sick- PDF

In this time of caution, we at NeighborHealth remain available to you by offering tele-med services, if you are unsure what to do or if you feel you are getting worse. Should you need to see the doctor for a routine, non-COVID follow-up visit, or get refills, or ask about your medicines, you may prefer to have a tele-med visit instead of unnecessarily risking virus exposure. Call us at 984.222.8000

Most insurance companies, including Medicaid and Medicare are covering the costs of a tele-med visit during this time. 

Please do remember to pray for us as we pray for you as well during this time. May we work together to ensure each other’s safety until these days are past.

Warmly,
Doug Briggs, MD
Chief Medical Officer
NeighborHealth Center