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Governor Mike DeWine announced Tuesday a new statewide policy that prioritizes essential surgeries, and many of you are wondering what that means for you.
Sylvia from Ohio asked: 鈥淚鈥檓 scheduled for knee replacement in three weeks. I鈥檓 in good health. Due to the virus, should I cancel this operation?鈥�
University Hospitals announced shortly after Gov. DeWine made the announcement that they will follow his lead and suspend non-essential surgeries and procedures.
Dr. Keith Armitage of University Hospitals said the situation keeps changing, but he said Sylvia should probably cancel her surgery, unless she really needs it.
鈥淲e鈥檙e just now starting to see an increased number of cases admitted to the hospital,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut I think if she鈥檚 otherwise pretty healthy, not high risk, and she really needs the procedure and the hospitals are still doing it, I think it鈥檚 OK to get it.鈥�
Gov. DeWine said essential surgeries might be different for each person, so it will be up to the doctor to help patients decide whether they should get the surgery.
Rosemary asked: 鈥淲hat about dental appointments for elderly during this virus shut down?鈥�
Some local hospitals, including , are closing some of their dental clinics. Even if Rosemary鈥檚 appointment is still available, University Hospitals' Dr. Keith Armitage said she may want to reschedule.
鈥淭he only way to stop this virus is stopping contact between people,鈥� he said.
So as soon as Rosemary leaves the house, she may come into contact with someone who has the virus.
If Rosemary鈥檚 dental appointment can be rescheduled, she may want to do that so she limits her contact with others, said Armitage. That limits the risk of spreading the virus and reduces her chance of contracting it.
