News

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE CORONAVIRUS

We want to assure you that Medical Associates of RI, Inc. is here to care for you. Our offices are open and able to provide care for all of your needs. With guidance from the Rhode Island Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control, we are taking steps to make sure our offices remain a safe place for every patient and to reduce your risk of being exposed to COVID-19.

Patients who have NOT tested positive for COVID-19, should keep their scheduled appointments at their primary care provider’s office. 

If you need a same day sick visit, call your primary care provider’s office first; please do not walk into a Medical Associates of RI, Inc. office.  

At this time we are NOT recommending antibody testing to see if someone was exposed to COVID-19 because:

  1. There is presently no entirely accurate test for COVID-19 antibodies. There are many tests out there, but they have not been verified as accurate.

  2. Even if you do test positive for antibodies, we do not know if that means you will be immune to (protected from) coronavirus in the future.

  3. Even if we find out that antibodies do protect you from further disease, we do not know how long it will protect you.

  4. The concern is that people who test positive for antibodies will feel that they are immune from getting the disease and will not socially isolate or protect themselves. The information may give a false sense of security. Until these issues are resolved, we are not recommending antibody testing.

If you have questions about the Coronavirus, please visit the Centers for Disease Control website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.

There are important things that you can do to prevent the spread of viruses.
The Department of Health recommends:
  • Get your flu shot, and make sure the people around you do the same.
  • Stay home if you are ill. Don't return to work until you have not had a fever without taking medications for at least 24 hours.
  • Wash your hands often throughout the day. Use warm water and soap. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand gel.
  • Cough or sneeze into your elbow. Viruses are spread through coughing or sneezing on other people or into your hands. Cover your coughs and sneezes to prevent others from getting sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Germs spread this way.
  • Keep surfaces (especially bedside tables, surfaces in the bathroom, and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a household disinfectant.
  • Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods.
Thank you for trusting us with your healthcare.

Sincerely,
Medical Associates of RI, Inc.