This guidance outlines DC Health recommendations for pediatric providers regarding continued pediatric care amidst widespread community transmission of 2019 Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the District of Columbia. Pediatric providers must balance ensuring access to preventative and immediate care services while minimizing the risk of exposure of COVID-19 to patients, families, and healthcare workers. Specific topics covered in this guidance include newborn care for infants born to COVID-19 positive mothers, safe breastfeeding practices, telemedicine preventative care visits, and cohorting strategies for in-person clinical visits. Information about continued operations of the D.C. Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (DC WIC) and 1-800-Mom-Baby are also included.

Pediatric providers should use the same guidance that applies to all healthcare providers in the District with regards to using appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), priorities for testing patients for COVID-19, and healthcare personnel monitoring, restriction, and return-to-work; these documents can be found at: https://dchealth.dc.gov/page/health-notices. Additional guidance about patient quarantine, isolation, and face covering should be provided to patients; these documents can be found at https://coronavirus.dc.gov/.