-Shital Parikh Mars, CEO, Progressive Care

As reports continue to unfold on the progression of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) to what is being described as an upcoming pandemic, there continue to be numerous misconceptions about the disease and proper disease prevention protocols.

As anticipated, community spread has come to the United States. Community spread is the process by which a person may become infected without any known contact with a person infected with the disease. COVID-19 is part of a family of coronaviruses and have similar infectious properties. A person does not have to show symptoms of COVID-19 to have the capacity to spread the disease to others. Currently, the incubation period can be anywhere between 2 and 19 days and many patients can test positive with the disease without ever showing symptoms or only having mild symptoms.

97% of those diagnosed with COVID-19 will recover from the virus. The vast majority of casualties are patients with underlying health conditions especially those with a pre-existing heart condition or are otherwise immunocompromised. Patients over the age of 60 with an underlying health condition remain the most at risk of having the most serious manifestation of viral symptoms.

A global pandemic of COVID-19 poses certain serious risks and smart measured preparations are called for at this time. During any health crisis, whether present or potential, we at Progressive Care advise all of our patients to remain calm and seek out reliable resources when making health care decisions, including our highly knowledgeable pharmacists who have been specially trained in the management of infectious diseases.

What are the symptoms? Seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing any of these symptoms:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

COVID-19 presents itself in similar ways to the cold or flu. If you are unwell and unsure, seek out medical diagnosis. Many healthcare facilities have the testing resources necessary to determine if you specifically have COVID-19

Treatment:
COVID-19 is a viral infection and thus cannot be treated by antibiotics. Treatment can involve hospitalization in the most severe cases, but will most likely be focused on symptom relief.
Here are our primary recommendations for health preparations for your family:

1. Seek out fact and science-based information on the impact of the disease in your community. Monitor CDC updates and local advisories about the need for closures or quarantines.
2. Enhance your disease prevention process.
3. Wash hands for a minimum of 20 seconds. Only in the absence of the ability to wash hands, use a hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol.
4. Avoid close contact with anyone exhibiting symptoms.
5. Seek medical attention as soon as symptoms appear.
6. DO NOT use a face mask if you are well. Face masks are in short supply and must be reserved for the ill. Only use a face mask if you are unwell. Caregivers and medical professionals should use a clinical-grade mask when they are in close contact with/caring for someone who is unwell. Using a face mask generally will not prevent catching the disease. It will only lessen the chances of an infected person spreading it.
7. Do not cough or sneeze into the air. Use tissues or your elbow to catch as many expelled virus particles as possible.
8. Frequently clean high touch surfaces.
9. Avoid touching your face.
10. Make sure your home has common OTC cold/flu remedies and healthful meals.
11. If you have an underlying condition regardless of severity, ensure that all of your medications are on hand and readily available and communicate that condition to any health care provider you may seek out should you develop symptoms.
12. Communicate with your school or employer about their business continuity plans and whether their PTO policies will accommodate the need to stay home.
13. Employers should also evaluate their PTO and business processes to ensure that employees are encouraged to stay home at the onset of symptoms.
14. Do not assume certain demographics of people are essential carriers of the disease. Cases within the US and abroad are not isolated to a singular group of people and no particular demographic is more or less likely to carry the disease within the US.
15. When in doubt, seek out the advice of licensed medical professionals available at your physician's office or pharmacy.

How can Progressive Care help?

Progressive Care, Inc symbol: RXMD has a plan for patients. At our pharmacies, PharmCo and FSRX, customers can depend on the availability of clinically trained pharmacy staff to answer questions anytime in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, Creole, and Russian. Customers can also count on the reliability of medications to be filled and delivered the same day to their door in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, Port St. Lucie, Brevard, Polk, Osceola, and Orange Counties.

The CDC has recorded 69 confirmed cases in the US with 34 of those repatriated from Diamond Princess and abroad. Clinical trials are underway, and some studies suggest potential compounds that aid in the treatment of the virus. It is imperative that the public knows where to turn for rapid treatment.

Patients can rely on PharmcoRx and FSRX to deliver monthly maintenance medications as well as specialty drugs. China remains an integral part of the global supply chain for pharmaceuticals. There may become shortages of certain medications as the disease response intensifies. It is important for customers to make sure they have a minimum of a 90-day supply of their medication on hand at this time.

In the event an insurance company rejects a submission by a patient for the prescription, the turn around on receiving the prior authorization from the doctor and getting it back to insurance could be a lengthy process. There is no time to waste when dealing with infectious disease, controlling the spread of viruses is dependent on the medication to eradicate it swiftly. PharmCo is a full-service pharmacy that is unlike any other pharmacy in South Florida. It provides each individual patient with a dedicated, highly qualified team to ensure that the respective needs of all patients are met quickly and affordably.
Progressive’s pharmacies have extensive inventories; therefore, we are well-positioned to provide our patients with necessary prescription medications, OTC supplies, vitamins, and supplements.

Our pharmacies fill and deliver an average of 45,000 prescriptions monthly, servicing thousands of doctors and patients throughout Florida. Pharmacy staff help monitor patient’s medication therapy and manage medication’s adverse reactions. The company has trained staff that can accommodate face-to-face communication and education whenever patients have complications or concerns with their therapy plan. Patient care is what separates PharmcoRx and FSRX apart from the bigger chain pharmacies where wait times to talk to pharmacists often exceed 30 minutes, lines are long, and prescriptions are unavailable sending customers to other locations. The company’s free delivery service provides patients with access to medications without fear of having to enter public spaces to seek out treatment.

At Progressive Care, we understand our community and the needs of our patients. Our pro-active approach ensures that our patients always have what they need to get well. We have committed ourselves to eliminate obstacles to care. We will work side by side with local health experts to do our part during this pandemic and be there for our patients today and every day thereafter.


For more information about Progressive Care, please visit the company’s website.
Connect and stay in touch with us on social media:

Progressive Care Inc.
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PharmCo, LLC
https://www.facebook.com/pharmcorx/
https://twitter.com/PharmCoRx
Five Star RX
https://www.fivestarrx.com/
https://www.facebook.com/fivestarrx/

Progressive Care Inc. (OTCQB: RXMD), through its PharmCo and FSRX subsidiaries, is a South Florida health services organization and technology company that provides prescription pharmaceuticals, compounded medications, anti-retroviral medications, medication therapy management (MTM), and the supply of prescription medications to long term care facilities, and health practice risk management. Progressive Care, Inc. is headquartered in Hallandale Beach, Florida.

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