COVID 19 Update December 2020
We hope this finds you well!
A lot is happening as we finally conclude this never-ending year.
Telehealth Preferred
Due to the high rise in COVID 19 infections in Delaware, we are encouraging all of our patients to change their appointments to telehealth unless there is a need to be examined. Telehealth has been working well (we use Zoom now) and the providers are able to do almost everything they would have done in person. If you have an upcoming appointment, our staff will be calling or emailing you to change to telehealth. This is best for your health! Please take advantage of this option.
Use the Portal
To comply with state regulations, we are also trying to have more of our staff work from home. If you need to reach us, it is best to send a message through the portal. Our portal can be used to set up or change office visits, prescription refills, prior authorization requests, and questions for our staff or providers.
https://www.app.elationpassport.com/passport/login/
Please do not use the portal for any urgent messages or emergencies. Since more of our staff will be working from home, we will not have as many staff to answer the phones in the office. Again, please utilize the portal as much as possible.
Rapid Antigen COVID tests available
We have received Antigen rapid COVID tests from the state of Delaware. These tests are for symptomatic patients only or patients with a known direct exposure. Our testing dates have changed to Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. You will need an appointment for this testing. Results are back in 15 mins. If you are positive, it is almost certain that you have COVID 19. If negative, it is only 84% sensitive, so it might be a false negative. So the tests are not useful for ruling out COVID infections in cases where you probably do not have it. We are sending out all negative tests for PCR confirmation to make sure it is a true negative. Unfortunately these PCR test results are taking over a week to get back at this writing. This will change.
State COVID Testing
There are many sites available for testing throughout the state. See here for locations:
https://curative.com/search#10/39.5942/-75.5961
Many times you do NOT need an appointment for these tests. Often, they are able to get results quicker than the commercial labs (that we must use in our office).
COVID 19 Exposure
The CDC has changed the guidelines for COVID 19 exposure. If you had direct exposure to someone with COVID 19, you should quarantine now for 7 days if you have a negative PCR test after day 5, or 10 days if you are not tested. If you live with someone with COVID 19, you will need to quarantine the entire time they are infectious (10 days from symptom onset or positive test, whichever was first), then start your 7 day quarantine.
Happy Holidays!
We hope you stay safe this Holiday season. Please stay home! This is a year to break traditions and keep your loved ones safe. Learn how to Zoom. Take socially distanced walks outside, with a mask. Meet up in the driveway over 6 feet apart. If you need to go to someone's home, please wear a mask and do not eat a meal at the same table as them. Let's get through this winter season and come out healthy and safe on the other side. A super effective vaccine is coming!