We’re seeing an increase in the number of children testing positive for and needing to be hospitalized with COVID-19. We’re also continuing to care for kids with diseases and injuries that don’t stop for a pandemic.
No! We are seeing a dramatic increase in kids testing positive for and needing to be hospitalized with COVID.
We know everyone is ready for life to return to “normal,” but it’s critical that we all continue to practice these prevention measures. Remember the 5 Ws:
*Any mask will provide some protection but because Omicron is much more contagious than prior variants, we believe that cloth masks may be less effective than level 3 (surgical masks) or N95 (KN95/KF94) masks. If you need to be indoors and have access to one of these higher-level masks, please use it in preference to cloth masks.
If your child has symptoms:
If they’re asymptomatic (showing no symptoms of COVID), monitor your child at home and manage symptoms if they arise.
You’ll also need to make sure they’re following the school guidelines, which vary by county/city.
Check the CDC’s website for the most current guidelines on isolation and quarantine.
You can test on day six after the exposure or once symptoms appear. It’s not necessary to test if you can quarantine the full recommended time period, but some schools, daycares and activities do require a negative test to return.
If your child is an existing CHoR patient, it’s best to message their provider in MyChart to request drive-thru testing, or request a virtual visit to speak with their provider.
You can also use VDH’s website to find a community testing site near you.
Yes! We have measures, including limited visitation and mask requirements, in place to keep patients, families and team members safe during in-person visits. We’re also seeing patients virtually through telehealth if you’d prefer this option. Don’t delay care – call (804) 828-2467 to schedule an appointment.
Again, yes! We have practices in place (testing before surgery, all team members have complied with the vaccination policy, masking, etc.) to help keep everyone safe.
Though surgeries are safe, we are postponing some procedures at this time.
We will contact impacted patients directly to reschedule.
Surgical cases will not be postponed if they are urgent/emergent or if postponing would jeopardize patient care.
Yes, just as we do in our outpatient and hospital settings, we have practices in place in the ER to help keep everyone healthy and safe.
Yes! Vaccination is the best defense against COVID-19, including the Omicron variant. Make sure all your family members are vaccinated and boosted when they’re eligible.
Call to schedule your child’s vaccination or ask for the vaccine during their next appointment with a CHoR provider at our Children’s Pavilion or Fredericksburg Multispecialty Center. Vaccines are also available at pharmacies and clinics throughout the community.
Yes, nearly all CHoR services are available virtually! Give us a call if you’d like to schedule or reschedule an in-person appointment to a virtual one.
The pandemic has changed our lives in some dramatic ways. How to best help your child largely depends on their age/stage of development, but in all cases it can be beneficial to keep the lines of communication open, allow them to have control in appropriate areas of their lives and seek professional help if you think it would help.
These articles offer some additional insight: