GPs issue Covid-19 advisory in SC
South Canterbury people who have been overseas in the past 14 days, or been in contact with someone who has, have been advised to phone ahead before visiting their doctor as Covid-19 concerns increase.
The message is in a text from medical centres.
‘‘The possibility of Covid-19 spreading to South Canterbury is very real and we’d like to think it’s possible it would be stamped out but we don’t really know,’’ said Dr Mary McSherry.
‘‘If someone comes into the waiting room and we know they’ve been sitting there, it is probable that all those people in the waiting room would then be told to self-isolate for 14 days.’’
Medical staff who have come into contact with an infected person would also have to self-isolate for 14 days resulting in fewer health workers to assist patients, she said.
‘‘Any doctor or nurse that came into contact with that patient would have to be off work and we’ll have to be really worried about our workforce.’’
McSherry said it was important for medical personnel to know if a person displayed symptoms such as cough, flu, fever, difficult breathing or shortness of breath, and had returned to the country less than 14 days prior to calling in.
‘‘The last thing we want that person to do is come into our waiting room, sit there for 10 or 20 minutes waiting for appointment and infect people during that time.’’
McSherry said advanced notice also gave staff time to put on protective gear like a gown, mask, gloves, goggles and face masks before handling the patient.
‘‘They may be brought into a separate room and maybe if they just need a swab to see if they have got the Covid-19 virus they may even be swabbed in the carpark in the car. their other