A letter from the Staff
We want you to know that at Swift River Medical Associates we are open and treating patients with many different conditions, some related to COVID-19 as well as others. We are currently offering appointments in the office as well as video appointments from home. Video appointments can be conducted with either a cell phone or computer.
We continue to take many precautions to minimize everyone's risk of infection. In addition to the office and clinical staff wearing masks there is frequent sanitization and cleaning. We require that all patients wear a mask, and we can provide you one if needed. Anyone with respiratory or other possible COVID-19 symptoms will be treated with special precautions, starting with calling from your car when you arrive for an in-office visit.
If you have an urgent medical concern, or are due for a routine follow up or physical, we encourage you to call and schedule an appointment. Please do not delay your care. Your health and safety are our utmost concern.
COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus)
Prevention:
As of this time our knowledge of the New Coronavirus (COVID-19) is limited but it appears that the best way to prevent acquiring it are the same techniques that are used to avoid other viruses such as the Flu.
- Get Vaccinated and Boosted
- Wear a mask
- Avoid close crowded spaces where you cannot remain 10 ft away from others.
- Avoid any contact with people who are potentially infected.
- Avoid geographic locations with known high densities of Covid-19 infection.
- Do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth, especially after contact with people or surfaces.
- Wash your hands well with soap or other hand cleaners after any potential contact.
- If soap is not available, use hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol
- Keep yourself healthy and well rested.
- Cough away from others into your elbow, not your hand.
- If you are potentially infected avoid all contact with others.
What to do if you develop a cough:
- If you have severe symptoms including high fever and significant shortness of breath, proceed to the ER.
- If you have a fever, are fatigued, have significant body aches and symptoms that have only lasted 2 days or less call the office for possible flu testing and treatment. This only applies to those that are at high risk for complications due to advanced age or having serious medical issues.
- If you have a cough, but no fever or shortness of breath it is most likely a simple viral upper respiratory illness or “cold” and you should stay at home and rest until you recover.
- If you have an appointment for a cough or possible Flu when you arrive at the office remain in your car and call the office at (413) 213-0550 to check in. You will then be called to enter through the door on the right side of the building when we are ready.
Where can you be tested:
Home tests possibly available at pharmacies
Our Office (Video Visit Required)
Urgent cares and some pharmacies (call for availability)
Eastfield Mall in Springfield
For a list of locations go to the Mass State website
Find a COVID-19 Test | Mass.gov
Who will possibly be tested for Covid-19 at SRMA:
We perform testing on appropriate patients after a video visit. Currently we can test many for Covid-19, although due to demand the results are often not available for 4-6 days making them less useful. If available use home test kits which are very accurate if negative and reasonably accurate if positive. We are currently testing those with possible Covid-19 symptoms and those who have had an exposure to someone with Covid-19 3-4 days prior. We are not testing people to prove they no longer have Covid-19 since the PCR test that we use is not useful for that. We currently do not have rapid tests.