By Dr. Edouard Servy|March 23rd, 2020
For patients of S.I.R.E., Augusta
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is a constantly-evolving situation that is affecting the United States and the international community. We want our patients to feel confident that we are closely monitoring all developments and adhering to recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), local and state health agencies, as well as our industry’s governing body the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).
Currently, our office is closed and fertility treatments are on hold until we reopen on May 4, 2020. The decision to suspend treatment was not made lightly and was made with the goal of keeping our patients and staff safe.
We understand that our patients may have questions about
How this affects their treatments.
How we are helping to minimize the spread of the disease.
How our business operations may change during this unique time.
We are first and foremost committed to being advocates for our patients and helping you continue your fertility journey.
Please review our COVID-19 frequently asked questions below
We will continue to provide updates on this page as they are available.
Q: Does COVID-19 impact fertility?
Currently, there is no published data or information to suggest that COVID-19 impacts fertility.
Q: Should I delay seeing a fertility specialist in light of COVID-19?
Most individuals of reproductive age are not considered “high-risk” for COVID-19, and therefore it is not necessary to delay your new patient consult.
Q: Do you recommend that I postpone any attempt at getting pregnant until the virus is contained?
Please continue to review guidance from the CDC related to COVID-19 and pregnancy. You may wish to delay pregnancy if you have traveled to high-risk areas, been in close contact with someone who has traveled to high risk areas, or if you are feeling ill. If you think you might have been exposed to the virus, self-quarantining for 14 days after the last known exposure to the virus has been recommended by the CDC. If you are ill, have your primary care provider order a COVID-19 test from a commercial lab. The result will determine if you have an infection or are free of COVID-19.
Q: Are my eggs/embryos/sperm in the lab at risk of exposure to COVID-19?
No. Our laboratory is designed to specifications for complete containment of recombinant DNA. It has a positive pressure air handling system, HEPA filtration system, and maintains extremely rigorous cleaning and quality assurance protocols at all times. It is also located separately from areas where patients are seen for monitoring, appointments, examinations or procedures. Our laboratory is CAP accredited and therefore adheres to all best practices for safety and infection prevention.
Q: What happens if I get exposed to COVID-19 during a future IVF cycle?
If you demonstrate symptoms of COVID-19, or if you are confirmed to have COVID-19, your cycle will mostly likely be delayed or canceled. This decision is not made lightly, as we understand the impact of cycle cancellation on our patients and their fertility journeys.
This decision will protect you (if your respiratory system is compromised due to infection, it is unsafe to undergo anesthesia, which further suppresses respiration), and will also protect thousands of patients and staff from potential exposure.