COVID-19 Information

Last updated: 9/20/23

Use our COVID-19 symptom checker to receive specific recommendations for your care based on your symptoms.

Mask Requirements

Effective May 11th, masks are no longer required in our Reliant Medical Group clinical offices (including at Worcester Medical Center). This decision aligns with the lifting of the mask mandate by the Department of Public Health in Massachusetts and new CDC guidelines.

While the mask requirement has been lifted, wearing masks is optional for anyone who visits our offices, including those who may be at high risk for COVID-19 or believes they have been exposed to the virus.  However, if you are sick and/or have an active cough, you will need to wear a mask when visiting a Reliant office.

At times, you will see Reliant staff and providers wearing a mask when it is appropriate to do so (such as caring for a patient with a respiratory illness). However, our staff will also be following the new guidelines and wearing a mask will be optional and only required under certain conditions. Please feel free to ask your care providers to wear masks if it makes you feel most comfortable.

Please know that if the CDC determines our geographic area to be at substantial or high risk for community transmission of COVID-19 in the future, the mask requirement will be reinstated. The masking status will be visible as you enter our offices.

Learn How COVID-19 Testing Works at Reliant

Testing at Reliant is by appointment and is only available for Reliant patients. If you test positive on a home antigen test, you are considered COVID-19 positive.  You do not need to schedule a PCR test unless required by your employer, school, etc.

See below to learn how our testing process works.

Reliant patients can schedule a COVID-19 PCR test by calling your PCP’s office. Self-scheduling is no longer an option. Testing will be scheduled at one of our primary care offices, generally on the same day or next day. We do not offer “walk-in” testing.

 

Some offices test car-side while others test inside the office. Patients will receive instructions when making an appointment.

 

A clinician will collect a sample from your nose to test for COVID-19. Your test will be sent to Quest Diagnostics. If your provider also ordered a flu test, a sample may also be taken to test for the flu virus.

 

Your test results will come back to the Reliant provider who ordered your test. We expect that you will be notified of your test results within 2 days, but the exact timeframe will depend on the lab’s volume (Quest Diagnostics).  You will receive an automated call from Reliant with your test result. If your result is positive, you may also be contacted by your primary care provider’s office within one business day. All results will also be available in MyChart. Please know that if you have not heard from us, your results are not available yet. We will communicate with you promptly when we receive your results from the lab. 

Positive Test Result

If you are COVID positive, click here for information about isolation, treatment options and ways to keep other around you healthy.

What if my symptoms worsen?
If you’re concerned about your symptoms, contact us for care instructions and treatment options. You may also use our COVID-19 symptom checker to receive specific recommendations for your care based on your symptoms.

To see if you may be eligible for the anti-viral treatment Paxlovid, an anti-viral treatment pill taken by mouth, call your PCP or schedule a virtual visit with Virtual ReadyMED through MyChart. Paxlovid should be given within five days after onset of symptoms.

If at any time you experience shortness of breath or you are unable to control a rising fever, call 911 or go to the Emergency Room.

Reliant Medical Group Vaccine Distribution

Reliant is not currently offering COVID-19 vaccination. To find a vaccine site near you, visit www.vaccines.gov . Patients without internet access can call 2-1-1 for assistance.

If You or Someone You Know is Sick or Had Contact with Someone Who Has COVID-19

If you have or think you might have COVID-19, it is important to stay home and away from other people. Staying away from others helps stop the spread of COVID-19. If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), get emergency medical care immediately.

If You Test Positive for COVID-19 (Isolate)

  • Stay home for 5 days.  If you have symptoms, day 1 is the first full day after your symptoms developed. If you do not have symptoms, day 1 is the first full day after your test specimen was collected.
  • If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your home.*
  • Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days. 

If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves without the use of fever-reducing medications.

*If you experienced shortness of breath, had difficulty breathing, were diagnosed with pneumonia related to COVE-19 or have a weakened immune system, you should stay home through day 10.

If You Were Exposed to Someone with COVID-19 (Quarantine)

If you: are up-to-date with vaccination OR had confirmed COVID-19 within the past 90 days (you tested positive using a viral test).

  • Wear a mask around others for 10 days.
  • Test on day 5, if possible.

If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home.

If you: are NOT up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations:

  • Stay home for at least 5 days. After that continue to wear a mask around others at home or in public for 5 additional days.
  • Wear a well-fitted mask if you must be around others in your home.
  • Test on day 5 if possible.

If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home. Use our COVID-19 symptom checker to receive specific recommendations for your care based on your symptoms.

We encourage you to rely on cdc.gov for the latest information about COVID-19.

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