Keeping Up With Your COVID-19 Tests
Tony award winnerÌýÌýrecently hostedÌý“Centerstage with Healthcare Heroes,â€Ìýa panelÌý»å¾±²õ³¦³Ü²õ²õ¾±´Ç²ÔÌý·É¾±³Ù³óÌýMoitriÌýSavard, MD, medical director forÌýW±ð¾±±ô±ôÌýC´Ç°ù²Ô±ð±ô±ôÌýMedicalÌý(WCM)ÌýPrimaryÌýCare in Long Island City, and PaulÌýFenyves, MD, associate director of digital care and innovation for Primary Care at WCM.ÌýÌý
In thisÌýÌýof a three-part series sponsored by WCM and Playbill.com, they discussedÌýwhat New Yorkers need to know about the current state of the pandemic andÌýhowÌýwe can take good care of ourselves.ÌýÌý
The following Q&A is based on that August 13 discussion.Ìý
³ûÖÊÓƵÌýhas beenÌýat the heart of New York City’sÌýmedicalÌýcareÌýsince the beginning ofÌýthe pandemic. What’s the statusÌýofÌýCOVID-19Ìýtesting in the city now?Ìý
There are a lot of tests available, so it’s important that patients know what the tests are and what they mean—and what they don’t.Ìý
First, there areÌýÌýthat look for the virus itself. It’s possible for patients to receive these testÌýresults in minutes.ÌýÌý
Ìýlook for the genetic material of the COVID-19 virus;Ìýit’s the more common testÌýright now. It can take between a week and 10 days to get those results, depending on whereÌýinÌýthe countryÌýit’s being processed.ÌýÌý
ThenÌýthere areÌý, which tell us whether a patient hasÌýhad a past infection with the virus that causes COVID-19.ÌýRight now,Ìýthat testÌýgives us limited information; itÌýreallyÌýonlyÌýtells us we’ve had the virusÌýby identifying proteins in the blood. We don’t know how longÌýtheÌýantibodies may last, orÌýwhether patients who recover from COVID-19 can get it again.ÌýÌý
What do we need to know about the PCR test?Ìý
The PCR test involves using a nasal swab. It’s not comfortable, but it’s fast—and nothing to be afraid of. Sometimes it will cause patients to tear up or sneeze, and that’s why the person administering the test will be wearingÌýfull personal protective equipment.Ìý
What are our best defenses against the virusÌýright now?Ìý
Let’s focus onÌý,Ìýmaintaining social distanceÌýas much as possible, andÌýÌýthat aren’t porous. Although washing with soap and water is the most effective way to keep our hands clean, the use (but notÌýoveruse) of hand sanitizers is a fine second choice.
Stress managementÌýis vital for patients right now. We’re seeing first-hand the role it can play in wellness: some patients who struggle with stress during this understandably anxious time also can experience physical and medical challenges. We want patients to discuss this so we can help them determine an effective course of action.Ìý
And weÌýreallyÌýwant patients to see their primary care physicians, manage chronic conditions, and go for screening tests for certain conditions regularly. We’re here seeing patients. We’ve been here seeing patients. And we don’t want to let care lapse.Ìý
What role haveÌýVideoÌýVisitsÌýplayed since the start of the pandemic?Ìý
Video VisitsÌýhave been a successful supplement to our practice. It allows half of our doctors to work onsite and in-person, while the other half sees patients online from their homes. We’re able to provide a high level of care to a high number of patients while reducing foot traffic in our offices.ÌýÌý
We’ve been seeing patients in person throughout the pandemic, but those who return to our offices now willÌýsee some terrific changes: patients are seamlessly checking in and out of appointments online; having their temperatures checked when they arrive; not spending time in waiting rooms; and seeing intensely stepped-up cleaning measures throughout our sites.ÌýÌýÌý
ResourcesÌý
- For more informationÌýaboutÌýCOVID-19Ìýtesting, call the ³ûÖÊÓƵ hotline at (646) 697-4000 or the NewÌýYorkÌýStateÌýCOVID-19 hotline at 1-888-364-3065.ÌýÌý
- PleaseÌýcontact your primary care provider to schedule a  VideoÌýVisit  or useÌý³ûÖÊÓƵ’s Ìý  services.Ìý
- ³ûÖÊÓƵ PsychiatryÌýoffers someÌýresources onÌý.Ìý