Lake Tillery Convenient Care Provider Offers Back to School Tips
| Date Posted: 8/18/2021
MT. GILEAD, NC – The recent rise in COVID-19 cases throughout our area is a grim reminder that the COVID-19 pandemic isn’t over.
As summer draws to a close and kids head back to school, many parents are concerned about the ongoing impacts of COVID-19.
Family Nurse Practitioner Julie Coggins with FirstHealth Convenient Care in Lake Tillery has the following tips to help parents navigate their children heading back to class.
What to expect
“I encourage parents to talk to their children about what to expect at school and the measures in place to keep them safe,” said Coggins. “One advantage we have this year over last year is that masks and additional restrictions are no longer new, to adults or children. That should help ease the transition back into the classroom, but it’s important to keep kids informed with facts about how COVID-19 is impacting school and home.”
Stay home if you’re sick
This is an important reminder for parents and children. “While no one wants to miss school, and day-to-day responsibilities are important, the smart and responsible thing to do when you're not feeling well is to stay at home, especially right now with the spread of COVID-19.”
FirstHealth Convenient Care-Lake Tillery is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week for walk-in urgent care, including testing for COVID-19. Appointments aren’t necessary.
Plan ahead
According to Coggins, planning ahead for possible disruptions in the school year is one way we can reduce our stress and worry. “We all hope for a more normal school year this time, but unfortunately, that’s not likely to happen, at least in the first few weeks,” she said. “It will help everyone’s level of stress in the event of quarantines or a transition to virtual learning if there is a plan in place.”
Get vaccinated
Finally, Coggins recommends vaccination for anyone 12 years old and older. “The best way to slow the spread of COVID-19 and get back to a normal school year is through vaccination,” she said. “Great care has been taken to ensure that the COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and they are our best tool to slow the spread of this pandemic.”
FirstHealth offers COVID-19 vaccines at the occupational health clinic in Troy and at FirstHealth Physician Group primary care clinics in Moore, Richmond and Hoke counties. For help scheduling a vaccine, call (910) 715-SHOT.
FirstHealth Convenient Care is located at 8004 NC-73 in Mt. Gilead and offers treatment for urgent, but non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries.
If patients require more than preventative care from a primary doctor but do not warrant an emergency room visit, FirstHealth Convenient Care helps fill the gap. Our clinic is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week for walk-in care. No appointments are needed.
