DR. LOESCH URGES PATIENTS WITH UNDERLYING CONDITIONS TO NOT PUT OFF MEDICAL ATTENTION BECAUSE OF COVID-19

  

Washington County’s Health Authority is telling patients with underlying medical conditions to not ignore their health problems because of fears about COVID-19.

Dr. William Loesch says patients with conditions like diabetes or heart disease can face several unintended consequences by delaying surgeries, procedures, or simple medical attention for the sake of avoiding potential exposure to the coronavirus.  He says while COVID-19 is certainly serious and not something to dismiss, patients that put off existing health problems because of the virus are “making a bad gamble on their health”.

 

Dr. Loesch says doctor’s offices and hospitals are taking all the precautions they can to make visits safe, through measures such as screening patients before they come in, limiting the number of people in waiting areas and spacing them out, and making sure everyone inside clinics are wearing face masks.

Dr. Loesch adds that contracting the virus is not necessarily a death sentence, but some conditions left untreated can be far more dangerous.

 

Dr. Loesch also acknowledges the severe psychological effects of the virus, and says to not ignore those issues, either.

 

Patients experiencing symptoms they are concerned about are encouraged to reach out to their physician, who will advise the proper care for the situation.