NSMC News Releases

As doctors and caregivers entrusted with the health of so many in our community, we encourage our patients and their families to follow Social Distancing guidelines. This is the best way to protect one another and preserve valuable health resources for our most vulnerable patients. Below are some important examples of how to do this.

1. No play dates, parties, sleepovers, or families visiting each other's houses. The symptoms of Coronavirus take 4-5 days to manifest themselves. Someone who comes over looking well can transmit the virus.

2. Take walks/runs outside, but maintain distance (ideally 6 feet between people outside your family). Try not to use public facilities like playground structures as Coronavirus can live on plastic and metal for up to 3 days, and these structures aren't getting regularly cleaned. Try not to have kids play with each other (even outside) if that means direct physical contact. Even basketball or soccer involve direct contact and cannot be recommended.

3. Reduce the frequency of going to stores/restaurants/coffee shops for the time being. Trips to the grocery store and pharmacy will be necessary, but try to limit them and go at times when less busy.

4. If you are sick, definitely stay home and contact a medical professional. If you are sick, you should isolate yourself from the rest of your family within your house as best as you can.

Thank you for your cooperation.

NSMC (North Shore Medical Center) is a multi-site health system headquartered in Salem, Mass., which includes NSMC Salem Hospital, NSMC Union Hospital in Lynn, MassGeneral for Children at North Shore Medical Center, NSMC Heart Center, NSMC Women's Center and the physician network known as North Shore Physicians Group. NSMC and Massachusetts General Hospital together provide care at the Mass General/North Shore Center for Outpatient Care and the Mass General/North Shore Cancer Center in Danvers. NSMC is a member of Partners HealthCare, which was founded by Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital. #northshoremed