Like us on Facebook
August 5, 2021
CDC Map Indicates Delaware COVID-19 Spread As "Substantial"
U.S. Finally Reaches 70 Percent Vaccination Rate Goal For Adults
According to seven-day positivity data published in the online tracker by county from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of Tuesday, all three Delaware counties are listed as "substantial" for COVID-19 transmission. This is the second-highest rate of transmission on the CDC's scale. According to the CDC's revised guidance announced last week, vaccinated people in areas of substantial or high transmission of COVID-19 should resume wearing masks in indoor public places. Positive cases are trending upward. As of August 4, Delaware's seven-day average for percentage of positive tests was listed at 4.4 percent (124.4 new cases, 7-day average) with 53 hospitalizations and nine listed as critical. In Delaware, those not fully vaccinated account for 99 percent of positive cases, 99.4 percent of hospitalizations, and 98.7 percent of deaths (data from January 1, 2021, through mid-July).

On Monday, the U.S. reached President Biden's goal of getting at least one COVID-19 vaccine to 70 percent of American adults. The target was hit a month later than the initial goal date of July 4.
Delaware Announces COVID-19 Testing Recommendations
Updated Recommendations For The Testing Program And Unvaccinated
Get vaccinated or get tested is the message from Governor John Carney, the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA). The majority of COVID-19 cases are occurring among unvaccinated individuals. For those not vaccinated, testing is key to identifying and preventing additional infection. DPH recommends the following updated guidance for unvaccinated people:
  • Get tested once a week.
  • Get tested 5-7 days after being exposed to someone with COVID-19.
  • Isolate at home immediately if unvaccinated and develop symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Quarantine at home immediately if exposed to someone with COVID-19.

According to CDC recommendations, fully vaccinated persons should get tested 3-5 days after being exposed to someone with COVID-19. Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to quarantine after exposure. The CDC also recommends that anyone with any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 get tested, regardless of vaccination status or prior infection.

Delawareans continue to have a variety of testing options. A full list of testing locations and options can be found on de.gov/gettested. Currently, at-home testing is offered free of charge through a partnership with Vault (PCR, free) and LabCorp (Pixel). DPH also announced a new partnership with Delaware Libraries with most library locations having free, take-home rapid test kits for family members who are symptomatic. K-12 schools and early learning facilities can take advantage of free rapid antigen testing for staff and students through a contract with the Quidel corporation. DPH also announced it began offering testing at its static vaccination sites starting Wednesday, August 4. Testing at state-run sites and through state partnerships is free of charge. There may be a fee for testing at other locations.
DPH Provides COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit
Promote The Vaccine To Help Protect Your Patients
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging the need to increase COVID-19 vaccination to prevent surges of cases through the late summer and early fall months. Earlier this week, MSD shared with you a letter from Karyl Rattay, MD, Director of the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), requesting you engage your patients about the COVID-19 vaccine. As someone who is trusted to make health care decisions, your voice and input matter. To help support you and your staff in promoting the COVID-19 vaccine to your unvaccinated patients, DPH has produced a comprehensive Health Care Provider COVID-19 Vaccine Toolkit. Included in the toolkit is access to flyers, screensavers, posters, buttons, talking points, videos for office TVs, tips to increase/promote vaccination among staff, instructions to hold a Facebook Town Hall event for patients, and an order form for materials (you can print out materials within the toolkit or use the order form to order professionally produced quantities - all free of charge). Let us know how you are using the materials!
MSD's Hot Topic CME Presentation Recording Available
Tuesday's Hot Topic CME session, "COVID-19 Updates and Myocarditis," reached registration capacity. Co-hosted with the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH), presentations included Delaware statistics, the Delta variant, and vaccinations. Also co-hosted with the Delaware Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (DeAAP), Nemours physicians provided an update on Myocarditis in Pediatric Patients. MSD Hot Topic education sessions are provided to keep our members and their practices up-to-date on the latest medical information. Access the recorded event.
ACOG And SMFM Recommend Vaccination For Pregnant Women
About 22% of Pregnant Women Have Received One or More Doses
Both the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (SMFM) have recommended COVID-19 vaccinations for all pregnant women, citing concerns over rising cases and low vaccination rates. Vaccinations of pregnant women over the past several months have shown the shots are safe and effective during pregnancy. Pregnant individuals who have decided to wait until after delivery to be vaccinated may be inadvertently exposing themselves to an increased risk of severe illness or death.
CPT News Alert
Provisional Code Created For Potential Third Dose of Pfizer Vaccine
The American Medical Association announced that the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code set has been updated to include a new administration code that is unique to a potential third dose of the current COVID-19 vaccine offered by Pfizer. The code will be effective for use on the condition that a third dose shot of the Pfizer vaccine receives regulatory approval or authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Quick reference.
HHS Extends Public Health Emergency Through October 17
A Result Of The Continued Consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has extended the national COVID-19 Public Health Emergency for an additional 90 days effective July 20 through October 20, 2021. This means that the telehealth and other waivers and flexibilities that have been implemented during the Public Health Emergency will remain in effect until at least October 20th.
Nanobodies Are "Remarkably Active" Against Delta Variant
Univ. of Pittsburgh's Inhalable Anti-COVID Nanobodies Inspired By Llamas
In findings announced this week and published in Nature Communications, microscopic molecules developed at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine that neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 virus in animals have been found to be remarkably active against mutations found in variants, including Delta. Research by Pitt and Case Western Reserve University scientists describe three different mechanisms by which nanobodies, fragments of antibodies that occur naturally in llamas and other members of the camelid family, disarm the virus, blocking it from infecting cells, and causing COVID-19. The near-atomic level structural analysis provides guidance for the development of future vaccines and therapeutics that may work against a wide variety of coronaviruses, including variants not yet in circulation.
Five Things About Surprise Billing: Part 1
Restricts Out Of Pocket Costs From Surprise And Balance Billing
On July 1, 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration released the first of several federal rules that will implement provisions of the No Surprises Act. This law was enacted in late 2020 to protect patients from surprise billing for services received from physicians or other health care professionals who are not part of the patient's insurance plan network. Overall, the law prevents health insurers and health care professionals from charging patients more for unexpected out-of-network services and sets parameters for how reimbursements for the out-of-network services will be determined. These federal rules do not apply to Medicare and Medicaid, which already have rules related to surprise billing. A "5 Things About The No Surpises Act" video was recently released, which is a bite-size consumer-friendly explainer of Round 1 of the No Surprises Act. Note that subsequent rules are expected to be issued later this year, which will include guidance on the process for determining final payment amounts to health care professionals and facilities.
CMS Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule
AMA Provides Summary; Intends to Respond
The American Medical Association (AMA) has produced a summary of the CY 2022 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on July 13. The proposed rule covers diverse topics including the CY 2022 Rate Setting and Medicare Conversion Factor, Evaluation/Management (E/M) office visit services, telehealth and other services involving communications technology, and updates to the Quality Payment Program (QPP) through Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) activities, methodology, payment adjustments, and the Promoting Interoperability performance category, among other provisions. CMS is requesting that comments be submitted no later than September 13. The AMA intends to respond to the proposed rule.
Fundamentals Of Critical Care Support Course
The Society of Critical Care Medicine is offering the Fundamental Critical Care Support course to prepare those who do not specialize in critical medicine to manage patients for the first 24 hours or until consultation can be arranged. The course will be offered in hybrid format, with self-directed online modules followed by an in-person series of skill stations/case discussion to be held on September 11 at Bayhealth Kent Campus in Dover. For details and to register.
Hospital News
Beebe Healthcare
Beebe Healthcare is inviting the public to a COVID-19 Virtual Town Hall on Tuesday, August 10 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Presented will be updates about the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, as well as what's new at Beebe. Details.
MSD 2022 Group Discount Enrollment Underway
Save on Your Group's Annual Membership Renewal!
Take advantage of MSD's group membership renewal discount program and save 10 percent on your group's 2022 membership dues! Discounts apply to those membership categories that are not already discounted. If you are a solo practitioner, get creative and design your own group (such as your call group). All physicians in the group must be or apply to be members of MSD. Groups must be enrolled by October 29, 2021, to qualify. Groups that participated in prior years must re-enroll annually. If you are interested and for more details contact Michelle Seymour at michelle.seymour@medsocdel.org or (302) 224-4905.
MSD Member Spotlight
MSD is spotlighting physician members throughout the state, highlighting medical students, residents, and your practicing colleagues, whether they are new to membership or have been a member over the years.

This week's spotlight is on Maria D. Jones, DO, Emergency Medicine/Internal Medicine Resident at ChristianaCare. Read more.

If you would like to be featured in the Spotlight section, please contact Michelle Seymour, Membership Manager.
Welcome New MSD Members
Kristine D. LaRocca, DO - ChristianaCare Family Medicine Center, Foulk Rd.
Chelsea L. Loughner, DO - Internal Medicine Resident, Bayhealth
Matthew R. Moorman, DO - Internal Medicine Resident, Bayhealth
Amanda A. Nguyen, DO - Internal Medicine Resident, Bayhealth
Keertana Seeli, MD - Internal Medicine Resident, Bayhealth
MSD's Membership Department is pleased to announce the newest members of the Medical Society of Delaware. Welcome to the third oldest medical society in the country! If you know someone interested in joining MSD, please contact Michelle Seymour at (302) 224-4905 or Michelle.Seymour@medsocdel.org with any questions or concerns.
Pending Members
Diane A. Adams, DO - OB/GYN, Saint Francis Women's Center, Newark
Swarnalatha Bheemreddy, MD - CD/NC, Partners in CardioVascular Health
Ashley D. Bloom - Medical Student, Bayhealth (PCOM)
Christine E. Burgert-Lon, DO-Surg&Cytopathology, ChristianaCare Pathology
James A. Costanzo, MD - Orthopaedic Surgery, First State Orthopaedics, PA
Grigory E. Gershkovich, MD - General Orthopaedics, First State Orthopaedics
Zubin Hussain - Medical Student, ChristianaCare (SKMC)
Moon Young Lee - Medical Student, Bayhealth (PCOM)
Megan M. McQuarrie, MD - Sports Medicine Fellowship, ChristianaCare
Melissa M. Pallatta, DO - Internal Medicine Resident, Bayhealth
Sean R. Sussman, DO - Sports Medicine Fellowship, ChristianaCare
Jonathan P. Vecchiarelli, MD - Pain Mngmt/PM, Sussex Pain Relief Ctr.
Aaron M. Weaver, DO - Family Medicine, Saint Francis Family Medicine
MSD's Members are afforded a seven-day review period from the date of this publication to comment regarding an applicant for membership. Please contact Michelle Seymour at (302) 224-4905 or Michelle.Seymour@medsocdel.org with any questions or concerns.
"Rerum Cognoscere"
The Latin phrase Rerum Cognoscere translates to learn, examine, or become aware of facts or things. In this section we highlight measurable items of interest in health care from MSD, Delaware, the US, and the world.
10th
Delaware's ranking for mental health prevalence and access to care.
10%
Increase in consumer out-of-pocket spending on health care in 2021.
96%
Percent of practicing physicians who have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
Upcoming Events
August 10 - AMA Steps Forward Webinar Series, Implementing Innovative Solutions With An Equity Lens, 1:00-2:00 p.m. ET
August 10 - Beebe Healthcare Virtual Town Hall, 4:30-5:30 p.m., virtual event.
September 10 - 8th Annual Pharmacology Update 2021, 8:00 a.m. -3:45 p.m., virtual event.
September 11 - Society of Critical Care Medicine, Fundamental Critical Care Support, hybrid event (this is the date of the in-person portion taking place at Bayhealth Kent Campus, Dover.
September 17 - 3rd Annual Sepsis Symposium, 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., virtual event.
September 24 - 8th Annual Neurovascular Symposium, 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., virtual event.
September 25 - 10th Annual Psychiatric Society of Delaware Fall Symposium, 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., virtual event.
October 1 - 28th Annual E.G. Scott Microbiology Symposium, 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., MSD Conference Center, Newark.
October 7 - Safety Considerations - Swank Dementia Care Fall 2021, 8:00-11:00 a.m., virtual event.
October 7-9 - American Conference on Physician Health, "Achieving the Quadruple Aim: Resilient Systems In Times Of Crisis," Scottsdale, AZ.
October 16 - 2021 John Scholz Stroke Education Conference, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon, virtual event.
October 18-19 - 2021 Virtual Maryland Rural Health Conference, virtual meeting.
October 21-22 - MSD Medical Front Office Skills Certificate Program, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., MSD Conference Center, Newark.
October 22 - 50th Dr. Margaret I. Handy Annual Memorial Lectureship, 12:00-5:30 p.m., virtual.
November 3, 4, 11, 12 - MSD Certified Medical Office Manager, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., MSD Conference Center, Newark.
December 13 - 2021 Communicable Disease Summit "How 2020 Changed the World," 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., virtual and in-person at John H. Ammon Medical Education Center, ChristianaCare Newark Campus (limited to 70 in-person attendees).
Was the information in this newsletter useful? If so, forward to a friend to let them know the value of your Medical Society of Delaware membership.
Copyright © 2021. All Rights Reserved.