Mid-Maryland Internal Medicine
187 Thomas Johnson Dr., #4
Frederick, MD 21702 Tel: (240) 651-0420
Ali Afrookteh, MD
Martha Pierce, MD
Mid-Maryland Internal Medicine
Coronavirus Update - August 4
Here we are, now into our sixth month of Covid-19. Although few could have imagined the dramatic changes in our lives over these past months, I continue to be encouraged both by the rapid advances that are being made toward a vaccine and the resilience of our community.
On the local front, we watch with concern as the case reports continue to creep up. While COVID cases in Frederick County continue to rise, we are also tracking below Maryland State averages for positivity rates (the seven-day rolling average for percent of positive COVID-19 test results). Although everyone is tired of social distancing, the threat to public health is as great or greater than it was in March and April, so we need to stay as vigilant as ever to prevent a local surge.
Many cases of infection are being traced to direct family contacts, reminding us that physical distancing and mask wearing is essential even at family events. In light of this, Gov. Hogan issued an executive order last week that, among other things, requires Marylanders to wear masks outdoors when social distancing is not possible.
Before Coming to Our Office, PLEASE Check Your Temperature
For the safety of our staff and all of the patients who visit our office, it is absolutely critical that you take your temperature with a thermometer before coming to the office! (It’s not enough to say “I can tell when I have a fever”). Surprisingly, we have been meeting considerable resistance to this request. If a patient brings coronavirus into our office, we risk spreading the virus to staff and other patients. So . . .
If you are coming to our office, take your temperature with a thermometer before you come
If your temperature is 100.5 or above, you will be asked not to enter and will be directed to the nearest COVID-19 testing facility
If you do not have a thermometer, let us know and we will come out to your car to take your temperature
Frederick County is still doing relatively well in terms of COVID cases and deaths. Please help us keep it that way.
The Latest Word on Testing
As you may have heard, there have been significant delays in getting COVID-19 PCR (swab) test results. The Frederick hospital site had recently taken as long as 14 days to get results back in some cases, rendering the results almost useless. Multiple factors are at play, and we should expect test result delays to continue. Regardless, we still encourage anyone with even mild symptoms or possible exposure to get tested. Contact tracing and quarantining is one of the few ways we can control this until a vaccine is widely available.
Below is a list of some local testing centers as of July 2020. The sites run by Meritus Hospital in Hagerstown and Frederick Health Hospital locally are free for now. Other sites such as urgent care offices/ CVS/ Walmart, etc. are offering private testing, for which you will be billed. Insurance may cover some of the cost. They generally have quicker turn-around times and may offer the throat swab as opposed to the nasal swab, which some people find easier to tolerate.
Frederick Regional Health System
1 Frederick Health Way (formerly 1 State Farm Drive)
Frederick, MD 21701
240-566-7152
Daily 7:00am – 2:00pm (closes at 11am if over 90 degrees)
Nasal swab only
No referral required
No cost
Meritus Health COVID-19 Drive-Thru Screening Center
13620 Crayton Blvd. (behind Meritus Medical Plaza).
Hagerstown, MD 21742
Monday- Friday 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. only. No weekend hours.
No appointments or referrals are needed to be tested
No cost
Med Express Urgent Care
99 Baughman’s Lane
Frederick, MD 21702
301-662-1392
Must call from car
Sunday – Saturday 8:00am to 8:00pm
Nasal & throat swab Available
Fee is charged at time of test
Winding Cross Urgent Care
5930 Frederick Crossing Lane
Frederick, MD 21704
240- 379-7776
Must call from car
Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Nasal Swab and antibody Testing
Fee is charged at time of test
UNI Urgent Care Canter
1305 West 7th Street (Suite 28)
Frederick, MD 21702
301-228-3600
Must call from car
Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 8:00 pm
Saturday & Sunday 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Nasal & throat swab
Fee is charged at time of test
If you are a healthcare worker, be sure to mention it at the testing site as healthcare workers' results are expedited.
Antibody Tests
Ask us if you want a referral for antibody testing, which is available through FMH labs or Quest. As previously explained however, we still don’t know if having antibodies protect someone from getting sick or spreading the virus a second time.
Those who do show IgG antibodies may want to consider being plasma donors for the treatment of critically ill patients.
Flu Shots
As if we all don't have enough to deal with right now, annual flu season is right around the corner. We anticipate offering vaccinations to our patients beginning in September. To accommodate this year's unusual circumstance, we’ll be scheduling several drive-through sessions to reduce the need to come into the office, details to follow.
We strongly recommend early immunization for seasonal influenza. Although this will not protect you from COVID-19, remember that the seasonal flu itself can cause significant illness.
There are different types of seasonal flu vaccines “on the menu” these days. We offer the standard Quadrivalent vaccine. People who prefer/require a difference formulation will be directed to their pharmacy. According to the CDC, getting vaccinated at all is much more important than which vaccine you get.
Odds and Ends
While you’re on line shopping for a thermometer, consider getting a home pulse oximeter. It’s the little gadget we apply to your finger that tells us how well oxygenated the blood is. This is a very helpful tool in evaluating the severity of illness such as COVID, as well as other respiratory conditions. These are likely to be in high demand, but shouldn’t cost more than $50.
Physical distancing doesn't mean staying indoors. Get outside and go for a walk or a bike ride. There are miles of hiking trails in Gambrill State Park and the Frederick County Watershed. And it's getting more difficult to find open tennis courts these days, which is a good sign.
We will get through this, and we look forward to running into you in downtown Frederick without masks one day.
Sincerely:
Martha Pierce, M.D.
Ali Afrookteh, M.D.
