With an influx of patients being tested daily for the Coronavirus (COVID-19), primary care doctors and urgent care facilities across the U.S. are putting themselves in the closest contact with it — and putting themselves at risk.
But are latex gloves and face masks enough to keep medical personnel protected?
What are the levels of exposure based on what health care personnel are or aren’t wearing?
And should doctors, nurses and medical assistants self-monitor after treating patients who could be carrying COVID-19, or should there be oversight from a higher authority?
We have answers now, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued interim guidance for health care personnel regarding potential COVID-19 exposure. The CDC’s memo helps with assessing risk, monitoring and work restriction decisions for those at medical practices who have frequent, close-contact, person-to-person exchanges with patients.