The American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) has, this morning, issued an update to their statement regarding COVID-19. Among other measures, they recommend “a high degree of vigilance”. New Hope Fertility has been and will continue to endorse this practice. We have always practiced rigorous handwashing and sterile techniques. During these challenging times, we have increased these measures, requiring patients to use hand sanitizing liquid as they enter our offices, and we have marked off seats to maintain appropriate social distancing. We are also staggering hours for our patient visits. We recognize that this may be inconvenient for some of our patients, but as health care professional we value your welfare and safety above all. We are here for your fertility needs, but if you have any reason to suspect that you have been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with Coronavirus, or if you have any symptoms, we ask that you delay any visits to our offices. We are still available to you by teleconference. Below is a portion of the ASRM statement. NHFC adheres to these recommendations and asks that our patients do so as well.
“The COVID-19 pandemic is a global challenge with few precedents. Combating the spread of a potentially deadly new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, requires extraordinary action. The principle strategy we currently have to flatten the infection curve and eventually stop the transmission of this highly contagious virus is “risk mitigation”. Decreasing risk means enhanced hygiene (e.g. rigorous handwashing), minimizing travel (to prevent potentially infected individuals carrying the virus far), social distancing (minimizing the number of people we are in contact with another at any one time), a high degree of vigilance (e.g. be willing and ready to self-quarantine early, even before symptoms appear), and preserving critically needed health resources to attend to those who become seriously ill with the virus (e.g. personal protective equipment [PPE] and ventilators).”