COVID-19 Update: Protecting our UBMD family

UBMD Physicians’ Group and its practices are continually monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation and following the recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), New York State Department of Health and Erie County Department of Health.

While still providing needed care, UBMD Physicians’ Group and our practices are working with our public health partners to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our community and keep our patients and team safe – the entire UBMD family.

During this rapidly changing situation, here’s what you should know.

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

• If you have been in contact with a person who is in quarantine or tested positive for COVID-19
• If you have recently returned from China, Europe, Iran, Japan or South Korea

1. Call your primary care provider, stay home and limit contact with family members until advised otherwise. Together with the Erie County Department of Health, you’ll be advised on recommended next steps.
2. Call ahead before going in person to any healthcare facility.
3. Don’t go to your local emergency department for COVID-19 testing. The emergency department is only for those who need the most critical care.*

* If you have chest pain, severe shortness of breath or other potentially life-threatening problems, call your closest emergency room to notify them of your pending arrival or call 911.

If you develop these symptoms or have the above history, call the office where your appointment is scheduled. The patient service representative will review this information with you and discuss your options, and, if needed, the provider may recommend that you call your primary care provider.

If you do not have these symptoms, when coming to the office, please bring only one family member or friend with you to the appointment. 

As your healthcare provider, we take serious care maintaining the safety of our patients, team and offices. Below are some ways we’re working to safeguard health and safety:

• Screen patients before appointments and at check-in
• Increased cleaning frequency of high-touch surfaces
• Hand sanitizer and tissues available in all main areas
• Updating our employees on new protocols and procedures

All of these measures and more are meant to reduce the risk of exposure to our patients and team.

Practice good hand hygiene

• Wash your hands often: wet, lather, scrub for 20 seconds, rinse and dry.
• If soap and water are not around, or your hands are not visibly dirty, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (60% alcohol or more).

Practice good respiratory hygiene

• When coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue.
• Use the nearest waste receptacle to dispose of the tissue after use.
• Perform hand hygiene after having contact with respiratory secretions and contaminated objects/materials.

Avoid touching your face – especially eyes, mouth and nose

Sanitize high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, counters, appliance handles and cellphones. The Environmental Protection Agency has issued a list of cleaning products shown to kill the virus causing COVID-19.

Keep your immune system strong by maintaining healthy habits, such as getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, drinking plenty of liquid and staying active

Maintain six feet of separation between you and anyone coughing or sneezing

Stay home when you’re sick, but call ahead before seeking medical care

Follow travel guidelines provided by the CDC, NYS Department of Health and Erie County Department of Health

We thank you for taking steps to ensure our community’s safety and for working with us during this time as we take extra precautions to ensure the health of the entire UBMD family.

This information may be updated at any time to adhere to recommendations from the CDC, NYS DOH and Erie County DOH.

For the most up-to-date information from UBMD about COVID-19, please visit our official COVID-19 page.