• Please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to learn more about the COVID-19 outbreak:

CDC COVID-19 Link

• You can also visit the Delaware Government website for local updates and information related to COVID-19:

Delaware Government Link

Symptoms Associated with COVID-19 Infection:

• First week: 
• Achy muscles, feeling run down, cough and low grade fever
• Second week: 
• Fever (77-98%), dry cough (46-82%), shortness of breath (3-31%)
• A sudden loss of taste or smell may be suggestive of COVID-19 infection based on insight from healthcare providers treating COVID-19 positive patients.
• Symptom onset 2-9 days after exposure with 50% of those infected in showing symptoms in 5 days
• 80% of infections are mild and children see to be less impacted
• Those infected can shed virus for 1-4 weeks after symptoms resolve, but it is unclear is they are still contagious.

Please Protect Yourself and Others:

• Wash your hands after touching frequently touched objects and surfaces, like door knobs, light switches, gas pump handles, etc. Remember to wash for at least 20 seconds!
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
  
• Disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, if able.
• Cover your cough or sneeze by using the inside of your elbow to cough or sneeze into.
• Avoid touching your face, including your eyes, nose and mouth.
  
• If using a tissue, toss immediately after use. Do not save it for later use!
• Practice social distancing of 6 feet from others.

How We Protect Ourselves and You:

• All employees are screened prior to starting work. We check temperature and administer a health screening questionnaire. Sick employees are sent home.
• All employees and patients are required to wear a face covering while in the office, unless exempt by age.
• We disinfect high touch areas throughout the day.
• We have socially distanced seating in the lobby.
• We provide access to hand sanitizer to employees and patients when providing care.
• We offer telehealth option for those vulnerable patients that should not be out in the community due to high risk.

When Coming to Our Office:

• We are still seeing patients. Patient appointments should be kept unless Dr. Wilbur or Dr. Estes have authorized a change in follow-up. See the message below about telehealth option.
• If you are coming to our office on or after 4/28/2020, by order of the Governor, you must wear a face covering to enter. 
• If you do not have a face covering, you can call our office at 302-375-6746 so that we may bring one out to you.
  
• We have a limited supply of face masks. Once this supply is depleted, only those with face masks/coverings can come into the office. Those without face masks/coverings must use telehealth visits only.
• Asthma or COPD patients having difficulty finding albuterol metered-dose inhaler (MDI) should call the office immediately for an appointment. We have access to alternative medication regimen to help with the albuterol MDI shortage. An appointment is necessary to obtain and be trained how to use the alternative medication regimen.
• If you think you are experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 infection, please call our office to get a laboratory order for testing. We do not have any COVID-19 testing equipment in the office at this time.
  
• Anyone that is not a Next Century Medical Care patient experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 infection, should contact the Delaware Division of Public Health at 1-866-408-1899.
• Please do not bring additional persons with you to your appointment. We have limited seating in our waiting room due to social distancing requirements. Patients will only be allowed to bring one additional person with them to the exam room. Any additional persons should wait out in the vehicle.