COVID-19 Information

No – MD Now does not offer testing or treatment for Coronavirus. Patients meeting the criteria for Coronavirus testing should go directly to their local Department of Health or Emergency Department if they are testing.

The criteria for Coronavirus testing per the Florida Department of Health are:

• Persons with a fever AND symptoms of lower respiratory illness (cough, shortness of breath) who have traveled to one of the geographic areas where widespread community transmission of Coronavirus within 14 days of symptom onset. The geographies currently include China, Iran, South Korea, most of Europe and parts of CA, MA, NY and WA.
• Persons part of an outbreak of suspected COVID-19.
• Persons who have had close contact with a laboratory-confirmed Coronavirus patient within 14 days of symptom onset and have, or have had, a fever or symptoms of lower respiratory illness (cough, shortness of breath).
• Persons with symptoms who have had community contact with a laboratory-confirmed Coronavirus patient, are over 65 with chronic conditions or in an immunocompromised state, or those who are unsure if they meet the criteria for testing should call their local Department of Health for more information.

No. There is currently no vaccination available for Coronavirus.

In addition to our standard infection control protocols, which include sanitizing exam rooms and tablets between patients and sanitizing common areas regularly throughout the day, we have taken additional steps to protect our patients and staff from Coronavirus which include:

• Utilizing the triage and treatment algorithm released by the Florida Department of Health.
• Requiring patients to cover any active coughs.
• Utilizing JanPro’s EnviroShield® service to disinfect our clinics on a regular basis. EnviroShield® uses an environmentally friendly, medical-grade disinfectant to eliminate 99.99% of viruses and bacteria. It carries the EPA’s high grade for safety and is applied using a mist that reaches places that other systems cannot.

The Coronavirus and flu have very similar symptoms.

The virus is believed to mainly spread from person-to-person. We advise keeping at least six feet of distance from anyone who may be sick or showing early signs as this virus can be spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs and sneezes.

Touching infected surfaces and objects then touching your eyes, mouth and nose may be another way that someone could become infected, however, this is not thought to be the main way this virus spreads.

There are many precautions you can take to protect yourself against the Coronavirus and the first would be to get a flu shot. Although a flu vaccine cannot protect you from COVID-19 directly, you are more likely to develop severe pneumonia if you were to contract both viruses simultaneously.

Additionally, it is also important to frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available. Gels, rubs and hand wipes all work well as long as they contain at least 60% alcohol.

Lastly, always be sure to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or with the inside of your elbow, never your hands. Also try to stay at least 6 feet away from people who are sick and do not share water bottles, drinks, sports equipment such as mouthpieces, etc.

No. We can provide a general medical clearance exam for communicable diseases if you do not meet the testing criteria for Coronavirus. However, we cannot provide clearance specifically for COVID-19, even for patients who do not have any symptoms or do not meet the Florida Department of Health’s testing criteria, since we are unable to perform the testing required to do so.