We are in the midst of the latest surge of COVID cases with a 17% positivity testing rate! The beauty of this year vs. last year is both vaccines and testing. Realizing that testing centers are experiencing long waits and kits are short in supply, we understand the frustration all around.
If you are requesting clinical guidance for your symptoms, please call as early as possible (ie before 9am) for the possibility of a same day urgent appointment. Our phone lines open at 7:30am. Our appointments have been filling very quickly and we cannot guarantee an appointment but are doing our best. We do have PCR testing via drive-thru in Eldersburg on certain days a week for patients who have been referred by a clinician AFTER an appointment. These tests take about 2 days for results. We do not have rapid testing available at BWPC.
PLEASE NOTE the following important details:
*Monclonal antibody infusion referrals are on hold until further notice per the MD Department of Health
*Oral COVID treatments that have gotten EUA approval are not yet available at the pharmacies – anticipating mid-Jan at earliest
*If you have been vaccinated/boosted, we expect that your status will keep you from developing severe symptoms of COVID (Omicron variant is dominant now). Please refer to the data here. If you are a patient and would like to be vaccinated/boosted, you can call us at ext 120 for an appointment
*If you are COVID+ but believe that you are mild, here are the latest shortened quarantine guidelines posted Dec 27th by the CDC
Other Testing Options:
- Consider buying rapid kits online (online pharmacy or Amazon) and in advance. These are currently shipping for 1-2 weeks from now so buying enough early for your household will likely come in handy.
- Howard County: https://www.howardcountymd.gov/covid-19-testing#health-department-testing
- ExpressCare: Requires a visit. https://whywaitintheer.com/service/lab-services/rapid-covid-19-test/
- MD Search for Testing Sites by Zip Code: https://coronavirus.maryland.gov/pages/symptoms-testing
Hang in there everyone. We will get thru this with the good awareness and a dose of kindness!