COVID-19 Information

The Omicron variant is a new SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) variant that was first reported in South Africa in early November. On November 26, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated the B.1.1.529 a variant of concern and assigned the name Omicron. It has since been reported worldwide, and now there are even subvariants of the Omicron variant. There are emerging variants similar to Omicron that the CDC is monitoring and are currently causing outbreaks in various parts of the world. 

Available evidence suggests a seasonal pattern to COVID-19 infection. New variants may cause a large surge in relatively less severe cases like Omicron or, potentially, a smaller surge with more severe illness.  Emerging research will help define the impact COVID-19 may have in years to come. 

Experts are reporting that patients have experienced congestion, fatigue, headache, and body aches. To a non-medical professional, those symptoms could easily be confused as something like the common flu. This is why testing continues to be critical.

According to the CDC, the Omicron variant spreads more easily than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus. CDC expects that anyone with Omicron infection can spread the virus to others, even if they are vaccinated or don’t have symptoms.

Yes. MD Now offers two tests to diagnose COVID-19, including variants of Omicron: Rapid Antigen testing and a PCR testing.  

Current vaccines are less effective against the Omicron variant specifically, but vaccines are still an effective way to help prevent getting seriously ill and hospitalized. In fact, the CDC announced that “The recent emergence of the Omicron variant further emphasizes the importance of vaccination, boosters, and prevention efforts needed to protect against COVID-19.” Even partial protection is better than no protection, and the longer you wait, the more you risk getting infected by another Covid variant.

Omicron generally causes less serious illness than other forms of the virus compared to other variants. However, Omicron can still cause hospitalization or even death, particularly in vulnerable individuals. 

COVID-19 is a new disease, caused by a novel (or new) coronavirus that has not previously been seen in humans. Because it is a new virus, scientists are learning more each day. Although most people who have COVID-19 have mild symptoms, COVID-19 can also cause severe illness and even death.

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.

These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Chills
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Congestion or Runny Nose
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

If you experience any of these symptoms, we encourage you to come in for a COVID-19 PCR or rapid antigen test. We will be able to evaluate your symptoms and tell you the next steps to take.

If your symptoms become severe, call 911.

MD Now offers both rapid antigen testing and PCR testing at all MD Now locations. The rapid antigen test takes approximately 15 minutes to receive results and is most accurate between 1-5 days after symptom onset. A positive rapid antigen test will help guide your treatment immediately. The rapid antigen tests administered at MD Now are more reliable than home test kits when taken in a clinic environment and in the right stage of your illness—up to 98% accurate. MD Now also offers the PCR test, which uses the genetic signature of the virus to determine if you are infected.  PCR tests continue to play an important role and may be used to help guide your diagnosis when a rapid test isn’t the test of choice, such as if you need a PCR test to return to work or travel. Results are available within 48 hours are less with PCR testing at MD Now.

Your results can be viewed through the BioReference Laboratories patient portal. Follow the steps below to access your results.

1. Go to bioreference.com/patient-portal and select ‘patient portal.’
2. Click the ‘create an account’ button and complete the registration process.  You will be asked a series of questions to verify your identity.
3. Once you’ve set up the account, click the button that says, ‘View Results.’ If your results are available, they will display on the screen.

If you are unable to log in for some reason, please email patientportal@bioreference.com.

Please directly contact the clinic your child was tested at for their COVID results.

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to COVID-19. It is thought Coronavirus is spread mainly from person-to-person who are in close contact through respiratory droplets produced from an infected person. To reduce the spread of COVID-19 everyone should:

• Wash their hands regularly. If soap and water is not readily available use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick, stay home as much as possible and put distance between themselves and others.
• Cover their mouth and nose with a mask when around others.

Visit the CDC website for more tips on how to further protect yourself and others.

Social distancing means keeping space between yourself and others. To slow the spread of COVID-19 people should:

• Stay at least 6 feet or more apart
• Refrain from gathering in groups and avoid mass gatherings
• Stay out of crowded places
• Wear a mask if traveling with others in a car or on public transportation

Learn more about social distancing and how to protect yourself.

The CDC recommends that people wear a mask when social distancing practices are difficult to protect the people around you if you are infected but do not have symptoms. This will help slow the spread of COVID-19.

If someone is sick in your household or is asymptomatic but has tested positive for COVID-19, we suggest following CDC’s guidance to protect yourself and others in your home.

If you have a fever, cough or other symptoms you might have COVID-19. If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, contact MD Now or your healthcare provider and keep track of your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign, such as trouble breathing, seek emergency medical attention immediately.

To have your symptoms evaluated, take advantage of our MD Now Virtual Visits, so you can receive care in the comfort of your own home. We can take care of a wide range of health care concerns and will determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.

Yes. 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 which include:

Encouraging social distancing by offering patients to wait in their cars after check-in.

Requiring all patients and staff to wear masks.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Florida Department of Health
• Food and Drug Administration

The FDA has authorized three COVID-19 vaccines which have been shown to be safe and effective as determined by data from the manufacturers and findings from large clinical trials. The vaccines met the FDA’s rigorous scientific standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality under the EUA. MD Now is currently administering the Pfizer-BioNTech (Pfizer) COVID-19 Vaccine for ages 12 & up.

There is no cost for a COVID-19 vaccine for individuals with verified insurance coverage. Click here for information on accepted insurances at MD Now.

MD Now is following manufacturer and CDC recommendations for administering COVID-19 vaccinations. For the latest eligibility requirements in the state of Florida, please visit the state’s website.

Yes. MD Now is following manufacturer and CDC recommendations for administering COVID-19 vaccinations. For the latest eligibility requirements in the state of Florida, please visit the state’s website.

No. An appointment is not required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccines are available on a walk-in basis.

MD Now currently offers the Pfizer-BioNTech (Pfizer) COVID-19 Vaccine for ages 12 & up at our clinics while supplies last.

All patients need to bring their driver license and insurance card, if they have one, to get their COVID-19 vaccine at MD Now. Please also bring your vaccination card if you have been previously vaccinated.

Yes. According to the CDC, COVID-19 vaccines can be offered to eligible persons regardless of whether they have a history of prior symptomatic or asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Data from clinical trials indicate that vaccinations can be safely administered in persons with evidence of a prior infection. However, you may wish to delay your vaccination until 90 days after diagnosis – this is when antibody protection may start to decline.

Adverse reactions are usually mild to moderate in intensity and resolve within a few days. The most common adverse reactions reported after vaccination in clinical studies included:

• Pain, swelling and redness at injection site
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle or joint paint
• Chills, nausea, fever

To protect yourself and others around you and to protect against severe disease leading to hospitalization or death. Once you are fully vaccinated and have passed the 2-week recommended wait period, you do not need to quarantine if exposed to someone with COVID-19 unless you develop symptoms or have a positive test.

No. According to the CDC, none of the vaccines contain live virus that can make you sick.

It is not yet known how long COVID-19 vaccination will offer protection – periodic boosters, such as with the annual flu shot, may be needed.

MD Now offers both the Pfizer-BioNTech (Pfizer) COVID-19 Vaccine and booster shots for qualified populations. Click here to learn more.

Rapid antigen testing is a faster way to detect if you have a current COVID-19 infection in that results are turned around within minutes instead of days.

A sample is collected through a nasal or throat swab and mixed with a solution. The solution is then placed onto an indicator device that may detect the presence of the virus that causes COVID-19.

The test includes approximately 1 minute of extraction with a 15-minute run time after being administered.

The performance data in the Package Insert for Sofia SARS Antigen FIA has a percent positive agreement (PPA) of 96.7% with RT-PCR using direct nasal swabs. The clinical samples were all collected from patients with symptom onset of 7 days or less.

Anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms is eligible for a rapid antigen test. Common COVID-19 symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Rapid antigen testing may also be helpful if you do not have symptoms of COVID-19 and would like quick results to meet a testing requirement for an event or travel.

MD Now offers rapid antigen testing at select locations only. Click here to view which clinics offer rapid antigen testing.

Results will be available approximately 15 minutes after the rapid antigen test is administered, so you will receive them during your visit.

If your test is positive, you may be eligible to receive oral antiviral medication to help lessen the effects of COVID-19. Your provider will determine if COVID-19 treatment is right for you based on your individual health and other contributing factors.