Both Good Friday and Easter Saturday (4/10 & 4/11) the Wilmington office will be open from 8-11am, please call 910-763-2476, hit 0 and ask to schedule a telemedicine appointment - see below for more details on Telelmedicine. The Hampstead office will be closed both days. __________________________________________________________________
Attention All Patients - Coronavirus (COVID-19) update:
In an effort to reduce exposure to illness and wait times, we are discontinuing walk in clinic and will now offer scheduled sick and telemedicine visits. We can provide sick visits and medicine evaluations via telemedicine if desired. Please call the office to schedule, 910-763-2476 x0.
The following insurance plans are covering this visit type: Aetna, BCBSNC, Cigna, Medicaid, Humana Tricare, UHC
You can access this telemedicine visit via smart phone, computer, or a tablet. All require internet access. Further instructions will be provided when you call to schedule.
The Wilmington Office will continue to close at 5pm until further notice.........
We continue to abide by CDC recommendations and the NC Department of Health to maintain the highest standard of commitment to wellness for our patients and staff. IF, you think your child has been exposed to COVID-19, and is experiencing fever and respiratory symptoms, DO NOT COME to the office. Please call first so we can determine the most appropriate course of action and care for your child. Our Providers and Clinical staff are ready to Triage and address your issues and concerns based on guidance from both the CDC and the NC Dept. of Health.
IF, your child(ren) have a well visit scheduled with us in the next week or two and are exhibiting any flu-like symptoms, fever or have traveled recently to areas greatly affected by the virus, please call our office so we can reschedule your visit until all symptoms have subsided.
For the most up to date information please visit the NC Department of Health and Human services by clicking on this link:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
This commentary was signed by former N.C. State Health Directors Robin Gary Cummings, MD, Leah Devlin, DDS, MPH, Jeff Engel, MD, Laura Gerald, MD, MPH, Ron Levine, MD, MPH and Hugh Tilson, MD, DrPH.
Three Steps to Slow COVID-19 -
With the cases of COVID-19 increasing across our state, and the images we are seeing from other countries, concerns about the potential impacts to North Carolina are high. At the same time, with so much information circulating, people can feel overwhelmed without a clear sense of how to best fight this pandemic. We have been fortunate in our state to have the leadership of Governor Roy Cooper, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen, and our State Health Director Dr. Betsey Tilson who have acted decisively to help protect our citizens during these challenging times.
As six former State Health Directors for North Carolina, we are speaking with one voice to urge each North Carolinian to take three critical steps to slow the spread of COVID-19. We acknowledge that for many, these recommendations may be more difficult to follow. Barriers like lack of health insurance and paid sick leave and limited telework options can create additional hardships for many families.
Step One: Join the #StayHome movement. Do your best to limit contact with others by only going out for food, medicines, to exercise, or to take care of essential concerns.
Step Two: Stay informed from reliable sources like www.ncdhhs.gov/coronavirus and www.cdc.gov. Listen to your public health leaders at the state, local and national levels and your health care providers.
Step Three: Don’t seek testing for COVID-19 if you have a mild illness. We know this recommendation may come as a surprise. However, the vast majority of people who get COVID-19 will have mild illness and recover at home. When people leave their home for testing, they could expose themselves to COVID-19 if they do not already have the infection. If they are infected, they can expose someone in the community, including people who are at high risk, or a health care worker. We need to reduce the chances for further spread and protect our health care system, so it is there when people need it most.
If you’re not sick enough to need medical care, a positive COVID-19 test will not change what you or your doctor do. Anyone who has fever and signs of respiratory illness including cough should stay home until at least 7 days after the first day of illness AND until they have been without fever for three days and other symptoms are improving. People who have been in close contact with an ill person are urged to stay home as much as possible and monitor themselves for signs of illness. During this phase of the outbreak, testing is most important for severely ill patients, health care workers, and persons in nursing homes and other vulnerable populations.
Testing also places significant strain on supplies like masks and gowns that we will need to meet the expected rise in COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization. We have a deep gratitude to the health care workers, first responders, and public health workforce who are working around the clock to keep others well. We need to do our part by not adding to the overwhelming caseloads they are beginning to face by taking these three critical steps: stay home, stay informed, and seek medical care and testing only if you have significant symptoms.
The COVID-19 pandemic reminds us that we are all interconnected and that we must commit to actions that keep our communities healthy. Together we will make it through these challenging times and emerge stronger and more prepared.
This commentary was signed by former N.C. State Health Directors Robin Gary Cummings, MD, Leah Devlin, DDS, MPH, Jeff Engel, MD, Laura Gerald, MD, MPH, Ron Levine, MD, MPH and Hugh Tilson, MD, DrPH.
Below you will find links to additional information that you may find useful in answering your questions or concerns.
- What you need to know about coronavirus COVID-19
- What you need to know about Coronavirus (spanish version)
- Infection Prevention Recommendations (NC Dept. of Health)
________________________________________________________________________________________________
We are pleased that you have chosen Carolina Pediatrics of Wilmington to provide health care for your family. We are a privately owned pediatric practice started by Dr. Mary Forehand in 1989. Our providers and staff strive to give you and your child the friendly and individualized care you deserve.
Carolina Pediatrics is proud to announce our partnership with the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation through our participation in their Kids in Parks program. Kids in Parks began through a need to get families unplugged and get them outdoors. Together with their partners, Kids in Parks promotes children's health and the health of our parks. To learn more about the Kids in Parks program go to our Community Resources page to find a video on this program or click the link http://www.kidsinparks.com/ You will also find more information in our lobby when you visit our office(s).
Ou
