COVID & Vaccines Updates

Please check back here regularly for updates. Please note that information is rapidly changing so refer to the most current updates.
April Vaccine Clinic
Our next Pfizer vaccine clinic is on April 15th from 9am-11:30pm at 300 Kensington Avenue in New Britain. Call (860) 368-2285 to schedule a time.
New COVID Testing Hours
March 22, 202
We continue to offer testing at 300 Kensington Avenue in New Britain. Our new hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7:45am – 3:45pm. Appointments are required. Please contact your provider’s office first since they will need to order the test.
March Vaccine Clinic
March 22, 2022
Our next clinic will be held on the following day at 300 Kensington Avenue in New Britain:
March 31: Pfizer
1pm-3:30pm
February Vaccine Clinics
February 7, 2022
i will be held on the following days at 300 Kensington Avenue in New Britain:
February 10th: Pfizer
1pm-4pm
February 17th: Moderna
1pm-4:30pm
Call (860) 368-2285 to schedule an appointment. For pediatric appointments, contact your pediatrician’s office.
Place Your Order for Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests
January 18, 2022
Residential households in the U.S. can order now one set of 4 free at-home tests from USPS.com. Here’s what you need to know about your order:
- Limit of one order per residential address
- One order includes 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests
- Orders will ship free starting in late January

Upcoming Vaccine Clinics
January 11, 2022
We have two clinics:
January 20: Pfizer
300 Kensington Avenue, New Britain
1pm-4:30pm
January 26: Moderna
300 Kensington Avenue, New Britain
1pm-4:30pm
Call (860) 368-2285 to schedule an appointment.
COVID Safety Reminders
January 6, 2022
As you know, as a nation we are experiencing a major spike in COVID infections with the highly contagious Omicron variant. Below are a few updates.
Get Vaccinated and Boosted
It is essential that you receive your vaccine. Once you are vaccinated, it is recommended that anyone 16 and older get a COVID booster, either six months after completing the Moderna or Pfizer primary COVID vaccine series or two months after getting the Johnson & Johnson shot.
We continue to offer clinics and check back regularly for updates. Here are other sites to assist you in finding vaccines and boosters:
Mask Up
Please make sure to wear high quality masks. A cloth mask is better than no mask, but N95, KN95, and KF94 masks are better protection against Omicron, experts say. If you choose to wear a cloth mask, put it on top of a surgical mask.
Sick? Get Tested
If you experience any symptoms of COVID, get a test and stay home until you’re better.
Testing
COVID PCR testing is available at 300 Kensington Avenue in New Britain: Mon-Fri, 7:30 am-4:00 pm. Appointments are required. Please contact your provider’s office first since they will need to order the test.
COVID Safety Measures
We kindly ask no visitors unless assistance is required.
Upcoming Booster Clinics
Our pediatric offices are now offering the Pfizer vaccine to children aged 5-11, as well as older children and boosters for those aged 16 and 17. Contact your pediatric provider to schedule.
Boosters Now Available to Everyone Age 18 and Above
November 4, 2021
Booster shots are now available to all Connecticut residents 18 years and older. You can receive a booster if it has been at least two months since you received J&J or six months since you received the second shot of Pfizer or Moderna.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration approved Pfizer and Moderna’s requests to expand eligibility of those shots to all adults in the United States.
The “unanimous decision carefully considered the current state of the pandemic, the latest vaccine effectiveness data over time and review of safety data from people who have already received a COVID-19 primary vaccine series and booster,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said.
“Booster shots … are an important public health tool to strengthen our defenses against the virus as we enter the winter holidays.”
Case rates in Connecticut and the region have edged up recently, prompting state and local officials to encourage fully vaccinated residents to seek a booster shot.
Gov. Ned Lamont and state Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani last week publicly urgedadult residents to get inoculated ahead of the holidays.
“Get it before Thanksgiving, before Christmas, before all those holidays,” Lamont said, “[and] before we see what’s going on in Maine and Vermont, Rhode Island, and New York – all around us. We’ll be ready.”
Prior to Friday’s federal authorization, boosters were permitted for people 65 and older, anyone 18 and older with underlying health conditions, those 18 and older who live in long-term care settings such as nursing homes, and those 18 and older who work or live in high-risk settings. Qualifying work places included grocery stores, educational facilities, public transit spaces, manufacturing facilities and prisons, among other locations.
Our next Moderna Clinics will be offered at 300 Kensington Avenue on:
December 3: 300 Kensington Avenue from 9AM-12PM patients, staff, providers
December 8: 300 Kensington Avenue from 1PM-6PM patients, staff, providers
Patient can call (860) 368-2285 to schedule an appointment.
Boosters & Clinics
November 4, 2021
We continue to offer boosters and have the following clinics scheduled:
Moderna Booster Clinics:
November 10: Wethersfield from 2:30-5PM staff and providers
November 17: Wethersfield from 1-3PM booster for patients
November 22: 300 Kensington Avenue from 8AM-11AM staff, providers, and patients
December 3: 300 Kensington Avenue from 9AM-12PM patients, staff, providers
December 8: 300 Kensington Avenue from 1PM-6PM patients, staff, providers
Pfizer Booster:
November 18: 300 Kensington Avenue from 2-4PM PM staff, providers, and patients
Scheduling:
Patient can call (860) 368-2285 to schedule an appointment.
Updated CDC Guidelines on Boosters:
Boosters are recommended as followed:
- People 65 years and older, 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions, or 18 years and older who live in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot.
- People 18 years and older should receive a booster shot at least 2 months after receiving their Johnson & Johnson/Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.
IF YOU RECEIVED: Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna
You are eligible for a booster if you are:
- 65 years or older
- Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
- Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
- Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings
When to get a booster:
At least 6 months after your second shot
Which booster should you get?
Any of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States
IF YOU RECEIVED: Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen
You are eligible for a booster if you are:
18 years or older
When to get a booster:
At least 2 months after your shot
Which booster should you get?
Any of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States
Now Offering the Pediatric COVID Vaccine to Children Ages 5-11
November 3, 2021
After months of testing and careful deliberation by the U.S Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control, the Pfizer vaccine has been granted emergency use for children aged 5-11.
This is exciting news and an important step as we move forward and protect our young and vulnerable population. Our Starling team is very supportive of this decision and is pleased to offer the vaccine in our Pediatric offices.
Call today to schedule your appointment:
Vernon: (860) 871-2102
New Britain: (860) 224-6282
Plainville: (860) 747-1132
Newington: (860) 666-5167
A parent or guardian must be present.
COVID-19’s impact on children
Since the start of the pandemic, about 1.9 million children ages 5-11 years have been infected, about 9% of all U.S. cases. More than 8,300 have been hospitalized and 94 have died, according to federal data. The death toll in the past year puts COVID in the top 10 causes of death for this age group.
Vaccine found to be safe and effective
The pediatric vaccine just authorized will be given in two 10-microgram doses administered 21 days apart. The dosage is one-third of the adolescent and adult dose.
Clinical trials in children ages 5-11 years found the vaccine to be 90.7% effective in preventing symptomatic COVID-19.
Safety data from the trials, which included more than 3,000 children who received the vaccine, found the most common reactions were pain at the injection site, fatigue, and headache. Reactions were mostly mild or moderate. There were no serious adverse events related to the vaccine, including myocarditis or anaphylaxis.
If you have questions, please consult with your Starling pediatric provider. Please click here for more helpful information from the CDC on children and teens and the vaccine.
Source: https://www.aappublications.org/news/2021/10/26/fda-pfizer-covid-vaccine-children-102621
Younger Children and the COVID-Vaccine
October 28, 2021
Children aged 5 to 11 will soon be able to get a COVID-19 vaccine at their pediatrician’s office, local pharmacies, and potentially even their school, the White House announced on Wednesday as it detailed plans for the expected authorization of the Pfizer shot for younger children in a matter of weeks.

So what does this mean for families and the fight against COVID-19? Here’s what Dr. Richard Besser, former acting CDC director and president of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, told “Face the Nation.” Click here to read the article>
Does your child have a cold, flu or COVID?
October 21, 2021
Your child has a sore throat, cough, and a high fever. Is it COVID? Could it be the flu? Or just a cold? With fall season underway and many germs in circulation, it is understanding why there can be some confusion.
All these illnesses are caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract. All are contagious and can spread easily from person to person. And they cause some similar symptoms. Click here to learn more>
Upcoming COVID vaccine dates
October 6, 2021
Oct 27: Moderna 1st and 2nd Dose Clinic
2:30pm-5pm
300 Kensington Avenue, New Britain
You must be a Starling patient
Please call (860) 368-2285 to schedule an appointment
Those who qualify for the Pfizer booster include:
- People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series
- People aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series
- People aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may* receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks
- Those who are immunocompromised should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series
Booster Dose Recommendations
September 27, 2021
COVID-19 Vaccine Providers in Connecticut have been approved to administer Pfizer booster doses in line with the FDA emergency use authorization and CDC recommendations.
CDC recommends:
- People 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series,
- People aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine atleast 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series,
- People aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may* receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks, and
People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may* receive a booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer-BioNTech primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks
Note that persons who received Moderna or J&J vaccines for their primary doses are not included in the CDC recommendation currently. We expect to receive several continued updates to booster dose guidelines over the next weeks. These will include further clarification of these recommendations; and likely include recommendations related to the Moderna and the J&J vaccines as well as potential expansion of the recommended population groups.
Starling will communicate shortly about when and where boosters will be available for those who are 65+ and at least 6 months from the second dose of the primary series of Pfizer as well as those who are under 65 and meet the CDC recommendations to encourage them to receive booster doses.
Stay tuned for additional information!
Testing
September 23, 2021
COVID PCR testing is available at 300 Kensington Avenue in New Britain: Mon-Fri, 7:30am-4:00pm. Talk with your provider who can send an order for testing. Appointments are required. Call (860) 368-2271.
Our pediatric practices also offer testing. Contact your pediatrician’s office for scheduling.
Children now represent 30% of all new COVID cases
September 20, 2021
Pediatrician, Dr. Elizabeth Martin, discusses COVID and kids, symptoms, where to get testing, and how to protect your children.
COVID Boosters
September 13, 2021
We know people are anxious to hear about when boosters may be available for the general population. We are currently providing boosters to those who are immunocompromised. But, for all other adults, we are awaiting guidelines from the State of Connecticut regarding the COVID vaccine booster. This is subject to authorization by the FDA and recommendation by CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).
The FDA is conducting an independent evaluation to determine the safety and effectiveness of a booster dose of the mRNA vaccines. ACIP will decide whether to issue a booster dose recommendation based on a thorough review of the evidence.
Starling will post more information on September 20th and vaccine clinic dates. In the meantime, if you are immunocompromised, talk with your doctor or call our vaccine hotline at (860) 368-2285.
Lose your vaccine card?!
August 25, 2021
If you have lost or need access to immunization records, including the COVID-19 vaccine, you can go online to CT WiZ Public Portal. You can view, download, and/or print your records or the records of a dependent.
Click here to go to the CT Wiz portal. You must use Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge or Mozilla Firefox.
Know the facts about the COVID vaccine!
August 24, 2021
Thank you to everyone who has done their part by getting the COVID vaccine. We know some people still have concerns. In this video, hear 4 of our doctors discuss the facts, address common myths, and share why they think the vaccine is so critical at this point in time.
Guiding Principles for Fully Vaccinated People
August 23, 2021
- Outdoor activities pose minimal risk to fully vaccinated people.
- Most indoor activities pose low risk to fully vaccinated people, especially in areas with low or moderate transmission.
- Infections happen in only a small proportion of people who are fully vaccinated, even with the Delta variant.
- Fully vaccinated people who become infected with the Delta variant can transmit it to others.
To reduce their risk of becoming infected with the Delta variant and potentially spreading it to others, CDC recommends that fully vaccinated people:
- Wear a mask in public indoor settings if they are in an area of substantial or high transmission.
- Fully vaccinated people might choose to mask regardless of the level of transmission, particularly if they or someone in their household is immunocompromised or at increased risk for severe disease, or if someone in their household is unvaccinated.
- Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
- Isolate if they have tested positive for COVID-19 in the prior 10 days or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
- Get tested 3-5 days after exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days after exposure or until they receive a negative test result.
- Continue to follow any applicable federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations.
FDA grants full approval to Pfizer’s COVID vaccine
August 23, 2021
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccine has been known as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, and will now be marketed as Comirnaty (koe-mir’-na-tee), for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older. The vaccine also continues to be available under emergency use authorization (EUA), including for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised individuals.
“The FDA’s approval of this vaccine is a milestone as we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. While this and other vaccines have met the FDA’s rigorous, scientific standards for emergency use authorization, as the first FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine, the public can be very confident that this vaccine meets the high standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality the FDA requires of an approved product,” said Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D. “While millions of people have already safely received COVID-19 vaccines, we recognize that for some, the FDA approval of a vaccine may now instill additional confidence to get vaccinated. Today’s milestone puts us one step closer to altering the course of this pandemic in the U.S.”
CDC Authorizes Booster for the Immunocompromised
August 17, 2021
On August 13, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend a third dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine for moderately and severely immunocompromised individuals under the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization.
Below the FDA acting commissioner explains why:
“The country has entered yet another wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the FDA is especially cognizant that immunocompromised people are particularly at risk for severe disease. After a thorough review of the available data, the FDA determined that this small, vulnerable group may benefit from a third dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna Vaccines. This action allows doctors to boost immunity in certain immunocompromised individuals who need extra protection from COVID-19…Other individuals who are fully vaccinated are adequately protected and do not need an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine at this time. The FDA is actively engaged in a science-based, rigorous process with our federal partners to consider whether an additional dose may be needed in the future.”
Connecticut COVID-19 vaccine providers may now provide a third dose to immunocompromised patients who have completed a primary series of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine.
This third dose is recommended for the immunocompromised is an additional vaccine dose when the initial immune response following a primary vaccine series is likely to be insufficient or has waned over time.
This includes people who have:
- Active treatment for solid tumor and hematologic malignancies
- Receipt of solid-organ transplant and taking immunosuppressive therapy
- Receipt of CAR-T-cell or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (within 2 years of transplantation or taking immunosuppression therapy)
- Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (e.g., DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
- Advanced or untreated HIV infection
- Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids (i.e., ≥20mg prednisone or equivalent per day), alkylating agents, antimetabolites, transplant-related immunosuppressive drugs, cancer chemotherapeutic agents classified as severely immunosuppressive, tumor-necrosis (TNF) blockers, and other biologic agents that are immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory.
The current recommendation only applies to the immunocompromised. The need for and timing of a COVID-19 booster dose for the general population have not been established but recommendations should be coming soon.
Patients can contact the place where they received their first vaccine or can check with local pharmacies or clinics. The recommendation is to stay with the same vaccine (i.e. Modern or Pfizer) you originally received.
Click here for the CDC announcement.
Unvaccinated individuals are getting much sicker!
August 16, 2021
Vaccinated individuals, even those with preexisting conditions, fare much better than the unvaccinated. Below are two illustrations that show the differences. Some vaccinated individuals, especially those with pre-existing conditions, do get sick from COVID breakthrough cases. But, overall, they are much less likely to be in the ICU on need ventilators. Take the following 3 examples:
Texas:

Georgia:

California:

Vaccine Safety for Of Child-Bearing Years
August 12, 2021
Dr. Peter Doelger is a practicing OB/GYN who has served Greater Hartford for over 35 years. Below he shares some
thoughts on questions and concerns about the COVID vaccine for women of childbearing years and who are pregnant.
Is pregnancy a risk factor for COVID complications?
Pregnancy is a risk factor for COVID. I explain to my patients that half of the baby is not them, and the way that the body doesn’t reject the baby is that the immune system has to be decreased. So pregnancy is an immune-suppressed state, and that’s why pregnant women get colds more often, and why they last longer.
Pregnant women are definitely at greater risk for getting COVID. More importantly, they’re at greater risk for getting sick, being admitted to the hospital, ending up on the respirator, and dying.
Below are some frightening statistics:
- Over 100,000 pregnant women in the U.S. have been diagnosed with COVID
- 18,000 have been admitted to the hospital
- Over 100 pregnant women have died
Can you or your baby die from COVID?
Unfortunately, the answer to this is yes! At our hospital we had a patient with COVID who had to be intubated, and at 22 weeks of pregnancy we did an emergency C-section in an attempt to save the mother’s life. The baby died and two days later the mother died. I had to call the husband and tell him that his baby and his wife died. I hung up the phone and I sobbed like a baby.
We’re at a point now where a story like that is totally unnecessary. So please, please consider, for yourself, for your loved ones, for the people around you, please consider getting this vaccine.
Is the vaccine safe for women who are pregnant, nursing, or thinking of getting pregnant?
Based on what we know about this vaccine, and the studies that we have in pregnant women, the recommendation we give women who are considering getting pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or are pregnant and breastfeeding, is to strongly recommend getting the vaccine. One of the added benefits of the vaccine is we now know that the antibodies the vaccine produces will pass to the baby, and our hope is that this will also prevent babies from getting the COVID virus.
We know that this vaccine does not interfere with a woman’s ability to conceive. We know this vaccine does not increase miscarriage rate. We know this vaccine does not increase birth defects.
Why is getting the vaccine so important at this point in time?
We’re feeling particularly urgent at this period of time because of the new Delta virus, and unfortunately, this virus is much more contagious and dangerous than the previous strains of this virus. We are seeing a gigantic uptick, almost more than doubling every week, in younger patients and pediatric patients, and there are now newborns that are needing to be intubated because of this disease. And I do tell my pregnant patients that not only will they be protecting themselves, but their babies, by getting the vaccine.
Does the vaccine cause infertility?
The vaccine in no way interferes with a woman’s ability to get pregnant. I know it’s difficult if you’re thinking about getting pregnant, and you’ve heard a lot of misinformation about this vaccine. There is absolutely no data at all that this is true.
Before you get pregnant, it’s very important to be as healthy as you can be. We do talk to people about good nutrition, exercise, getting enough sleep, and definitely, women do not want to do anything to increase the chance of adversely affecting their pregnancy.
We know that this vaccine does not interfere with a woman’s ability to conceive. We know this vaccine does not increase miscarriage rate. We know this vaccine does not increase birth defects.
When is the right time to get the vaccine during pregnancy?
We usually recommend that people get the vaccine after the first trimester, and the reason we recommend this is that the normal reaction to the vaccine can include a slight elevation in temperature, and that’s something we usually like to avoid during the first trimester. Talk to your provider about the optimal timing for you.
Can I get the vaccine if I am breastfeeding?
Yes! We now know that the antibodies that the vaccine produces are passed to the baby through breast milk, so it’s a way of protecting a child that’s too young to receive the vaccine. So not only does the vaccine protect the mother, but it protects the baby too.
Do I need the vaccine if I already had COVID?
There is some protection if a patient has had COVID in terms of getting it again. But, with this new variant, the studies have shown that you have 10 times the antibody response from the vaccine than you do from actually having had the disease. So even though you’ve had COVID, you are much more protected if you go ahead and get the vaccine.
Questions/Concerns About the Vaccine
Can I trust the vaccine?
I think this is a difficult issue for a lot of patients, and I think that’s quite understandable. I can definitely understand people not having 100% faith in the pharmaceutical companies, the government, and even the medical profession. I don’t think we have always earned the trust that we ask of our patients. So I do understand the hesitancy about this vaccine, and I just want to take time to share some of the facts, and some of the concerns that I’m hearing from my patients.
There’s never been a vaccine that we have more experience with than this vaccine.
Was the vaccine rushed?
There’s a question about the vaccine in terms of how quickly it was developed because it came out much quicker than any vaccine in the past. There’s a concern that it was rushed, it wasn’t appropriately tested, and that it’s new technology.
This technology is not new. We’ve been using this technology for 20 years. We’ve been using this technology to teach your cells to fight cancer cells. And what they were able to do, using this technique, is to teach your cells to fight the SARS virus.
People talk about this being a new vaccine, but this vaccine has been received by over 350 million people in the United States and by over 4 billion people around the world. There is nothing new about it at this point.
Does this vaccine stay indefinitely in your body?
There’s a concern about putting something foreign in your body, which is very understandable. There’s a concern about how long the vaccine is in your body. I would like to point out that once it hits your bloodstream, it very quickly disappears. And this technology teaches your cells to produce a protein so if you ever get the SARS virus, it will be able to remove it from your body. We have studies in pregnant women showing that, within one to three days after getting the vaccine, there is no vaccine found in their breast milk. So we know that the vaccine is in your system a very, very short period of time.
Are there side effects of the vaccine?
You’re definitely going to get some side effects from the vaccine. I got my vaccine and had a headache and some nausea. Being a male, I really felt it was the end of the world – it wasn’t – so I took some medication and I was fine. You want to get a little bit of a reaction after the vaccine, that’s a sign that you’re getting an immune response. So that’s something that you actually should expect, and again, almost always it’s pretty minimal.
Is the vaccine really 100% safe?
The risk of getting COVID during pregnancy is much greater than in the general population. Pregnant women who get the COVID vaccine are at much greater risk for severe complications. Patients often tell me, “Well, I’m concerned about this vaccine, no one knows 100% if it’s safe,” and that’s true – no one knows if anything’s 100% safe.
I point out to them the growing body of evidence about adverse health effects after having COVID. COVID is a disease that affects all the vessels in your body, and we’re seeing people now having significant respiratory issues, kidney issues, lung issues, we have young people having heart failure due to the fact that they’ve had COVID. And some people are sick for months or even a year after having this disease. So it’s not only getting the disease, but it’s possible to have side effects afterwards.
*******
We’re incredibly lucky to have this vaccine. This vaccine is over 95% effective. That’s amazing. Some years the flu vaccine is only 20% effective. It’s truly a miracle of modern science. We’re so lucky to be in a society where we have this offered. Please think about getting this vaccine; do it for yourself, do it for your children, do it for your loved ones, do it for your coworkers, do it for your patients. Do it for the nation. If we had a better vaccine response, we’d be back to normal by now.
Covid Live Updates: C.D.C. Firmly Urges Vaccinations During Pregnancy, Citing New Data
August 11, 2021

Federal health officials on Wednesday bolstered their recommendation that pregnant people be vaccinated against Covid-19, pointing to new safety data that found no increased risk of miscarriage among those were immunized during the first 20 weeks of gestation.
Earlier research found similarly reassuring data for those vaccinated later in pregnancy.
Until now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said the vaccine could be offered during pregnancy; the recent update in guidance strengthens the official advice, urging pregnant people to be immunized.
The new guidance brings the C.D.C. in line with recommendations made by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and other medical specialty groups, which strongly recommend vaccination.
“At this time, the benefits of vaccination, and the known risks of Covid during pregnancy and the high rates of transmission right now, outweigh any theoretical risks of the vaccine,” Sascha R. Ellington, an epidemiologist who leads the emergency preparedness response team in the division of reproductive health at the C.D.C.
The risks of having Covid-19 during a pregnancy are well-established, she said, and include severe illness, admission to intensive care, needing mechanical ventilation, having a preterm birth and death.
So far, there is limited data on birth outcomes, she added, since the vaccine has only been available since December. But the small number of pregnancies followed to term have not identified any safety signals.
Pregnant women were not included in the clinical trials of the vaccines, and uptake of the shots has been low among pregnant women. The majority of pregnant women seem to reluctant to be inoculated: Only 23 percent of pregnant women had received one or more doses of vaccine as of May, a recent study found.
Dr. Adam Urato, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist in Framingham, Mass., who counsels patients about the vaccine almost daily, said pregnant women are very wary of exposure to synthetic chemicals and want more solid scientific evidence that the vaccines are safe.
“The one question my patients ask me all the time is, are we absolutely sure that these vaccines won’t affect my baby?” he said.
If you have questions about the COVID vaccine and pregnancy, talk to your Starling OB/GYN.
Source: New York Times, August 11, 2021
Update on COVID Vaccine & Testing for Pediatric Patients
August 10, 2021
We are proud to offer the vaccine to children age 12 and up. You do not need to be a Starling patient. Here is how to call and schedule:
Patients of our Starling pediatric practices in New Britain, Plainville, Newington, and members of the community:
- Vaccine by appointment, Tues-Friday mornings
- Vaccines are given in New Britain office at 300 Kensington Avenue
- Call (860) 224-6282
Patients of our Starling practice in Vernon and members of the community:
- Vaccine by appointment
- Vaccines are given in our Vernon office at 375 Hartford Turnpike
- Call (860) 871-2102
Covid testing for our pediatric patients:
Testing is available in each of our offices, but you must be a patient. Call the office directly to schedule.
New Britain: (860) 224-6282
Plainville: (860) 747-1132
Newington: (860) 666-5167
Vernon: (860) 871-2102
Younger, Sicker, Quicker
August 4, 2021
Many doctors on the front lines say unvaccinated patients in their 20s and 30s are becoming more severely ill, and more quickly.
Doctors have coined a new phrase to describe them: “younger, sicker, quicker.” Many physicians treating them suspect that the Delta variant of the coronavirus, which now accounts for more than 80 percent of new infections nationwide, is playing a role.
As of Sunday, more than 80 percent of Americans ages 65 to 74 were fully vaccinated, compared with fewer than half of those ages 18 to 39, according to figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The vaccines are powerfully effective against severe illness and death after infection with any variant of the virus, including Delta. A vast majority of hospitalized patients nationwide — roughly 97 percent — are unvaccinated.
Starling continues to offer the vaccine. Call and schedule a vaccine today: (860) 368-2271
Source: New York Times 8.3.21
Vaccine Safety: Fertility and Pregnancy
Click on image below to view larger.
Update from Connectiut Department of Health
August 2, 2021
The CDC issued a Health Advisory to notify public health practitioners and the public about the urgent need to increase COVID-19 vaccination coverage. Increasing vaccination coverage is especially urgent in areas where current coverage is low. Unvaccinated persons account for the majority of new COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths.
Currently COVID variants of concern, especially the highly infectious Delta variant, are accelerating the spread of infection. Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated people should practice all recommended prevention measures until fully vaccinated. In areas with substantial and high transmission, CDC recommends that fully vaccinated individuals wear a mask in public indoor settings to help prevent the spread of Delta and help protect others.
Connecticut cases are on the rise
COVID-19 case rates are rising in Connecticut. As in-person interactions increase and variants of concern are on the rise, the risk of COVID spread remains, particularly among unvaccinated individuals.
- Studies indicate that vaccines authorized for use in the United States are effective against this variant after the full course (all doses) of vaccination.
- The DELTA strain is now the most dominant variant in CT.
- There is increasing evidence to show that the Delta variant spreads more easily and more quickly than previous variants. Even with the circulation of the Delta variant, only a small proportion of fully vaccinated individuals have breakthrough infections and symptoms tend to be mild.
- Preliminary datasuggests that fully vaccinated people who do become infected with the Delta variant have higher viral loads than with previous variants. This may mean fully vaccinated individuals infected with the Delta variant might be infectious and can potentially spread the virus to others.
With the Delta variant circulating, vaccination is more urgent than ever
- The highest spread of cases and severe outcomes are happening in places with low vaccination rates.
- COVID-19 vaccines are safeand effective against severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
- A growing body of evidenceindicates that people fully vaccinated with one of the two mRNA vaccines are less likely than unvaccinated persons to acquire COVIDor to transmit it to others.
- The risk for COVID breakthrough infection in fully vaccinated people cannot be completely eliminated as long as there is continued community transmissionof the virus.
How to stay safe
To reduce the risk of becoming infected with the Delta variant and potentially spreading it to others, CDC now recommends that fully vaccinated people:
- Wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial or high transmission.
- Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
- Isolate if you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 10 days
- Get tested 3-5 days after exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 and wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days after exposure or until they receive a negative test result
Anyone with symptoms consistent with COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, should get a viral test for COVID-19.
Do your part – get vaccinated!
Any one of the three currently available COVID-19 vaccines approved remain our best defense against preventing the spread of COVID-19, including the Delta variant. If you have not received your vaccine, call our vaccine line and schedule an appointment today! (860) 368-2271
Vaccine Clinic August 5th
We will be holding a COVID vaccine clinic on August 5th from 2:30pm-5:00PM at 300 Kensington Avenue in New Britain. We will provide the Moderna vaccine. Call (860) 368-2271 to schedule an appointment. You must be age 18 and above.
Vaccine & Testing Update
July 16, 2021
Vaccines Available: We have doses available of Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. We can provide vaccines, upon request and also will be offering clinics. Call our vaccine hotline at (860) 368-2271. We offer vaccines to anyone in the community, age 12 and above. Those 12 and above will receive the Pfizer vaccine and will need a guardian present.
Testing: COVID PCR testing is available at 300 Kensington – M,W, F, 7:45am-3:45pm. An appointment is required; please call (860) 368-2285 to schedule.
Reminder about Masks

Upcoming Vaccine Clinic
June 23, 2021
We will be holding a COVID vaccine clinic on July 15th from 2:30pm-5:00PM at 300 Kensington Avenue in New Britain. We will provide Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Call (860) 368-02271 to schedule an appointment. You must be age 18 and above to receive either of these vaccines.
Update on COVID Testing & Vaccines
June 4, 2021
Starling continues to be your go-to resource for testing and vaccinations.
COVID PCR testing is available at 300 Kensington – 5 days a week. 8am-3:45pm. An appointment is required, please call 860-368-2285 to schedule.
We have doses available of Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. Limited days available due to demand. We can provide vaccines, upon request, on other days and times. Call our vaccine hotline at (860) 368-2271
We offer vaccines to anyone in the community, age 12 and above. Those 12 and above will receive the Pfizer vaccine and will need a parent present.
We Still Require Masks
May 21, 2021
On May 19, Connecticut lifted the mask mandate for people when they are outside and people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will no longer need to wear masks in several places.
For our patients, we will continue to require masks because we are a Health Care Facility. If you do not have a mask, please ask our staff to provide you with one.
Below is some information regarding mask usage from the CDC.
Wearing a face mask has already become part of the daily routine for many Americans, with 97% saying they wear one at least once in a typical week. As more businesses continue to reopen or bring their employees back to the office over the next several months, face masks will likely remain an important preventative measure — especially since both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommend that employers encourage workers to wear them in the workplace to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
MASKS NOT REQUIRED:
- Masks will no longer be required outdoors
MASKS REQUIRED FOR ALL:
- Masks will continue to be required in some places, whether you are vaccinated or not. Here is where they will be required:
- Health care facilities
- Facilities housing vulnerable populations
- Public and private transit
- Correctional facilities
- Schools
- Childcare facilities
IF YOU ARE NOT VACCINATED:
For people who are not vaccinated, masks will be required:
- Inside
- Health care facilities
- Facilities housing vulnerable populations
- Public and private transit
- Correctional facilities
- Schools
- Childcare facilities
IF YOU ARE FULLY VACCINATED:
Vaccinated people will not be required to wear masks indoors in several settings, but there are some exceptions.
Masks will be required in the following settings:
- Health care facilities
- Facilities housing vulnerable populations
- Public and private transit
- Correctional facilities
- Schools
- Childcare facilities
Businesses, state and local government offices, and events may choose to require universal masking.
Now Vaccinating Those Age 12 and Above
May 12, 2021
Our Pediatrics practices in Vernon and New Britain are now offering the Pfizer vaccine for those age 12+. You do not need to be a patient.

Vernon:
Vernon Pediatrics will run drive-up Pfizer clinics. Clinics will be held on May 18, 19, 20, and 21 starting at 5:30 pm. Please call to schedule an appointment: (860) 871-2102. A legal guardian must be in attendance, or a Minor Consent Form must be completed prior to the appointment time.
New Britain:
Our pediatrics practice in New Britain is also be offering the Pfizer vaccine. Appointments will be scheduled during business hours. Call (860) 224-6282.
Guard Your Card!
May 6, 2021Below is important information from Medicare. After you get your COVID-19 vaccine, keep your vaccination card safe — scammers are using the COVID-19 pandemic to try to steal your personal information. Don’t share a photo of your COVID-19 vaccination card online or on social media. Scammers can use the content you post, like your date of birth, health care details, or other personal information to steal your identity. Protect Yourself You should get a COVID-19 vaccination card at your first vaccine appointment. If you didn’t, contact the provider site where you got vaccinated or your state health department to find out how to get a card. If someone contacts you to buy or sell a vaccination card, it’s a scam. If you suspect COVID-19 health care fraud, report it online or call 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477). TTY users can call 1-800-377-4950. |
Let’s Get Control of COVID!
May 5, 2021

If you haven’t gotten your vaccine yet, now is the time!
Call our vaccine line at (860) 368-2271 to set up an appointment.
Update on Vaccines for Adult Population
April 28, 2021
We are now offering Johnson & Johnson, as well as the Moderna vaccine for those age 18 and above. You do not need to be a Starling patient. For those ages 16-17, see the message below about details on our pediatric clinics administering the Pfizer vaccine.
On Wednesday, May 5th, we will be holding a Johnson & Johnson clinic from 2:30pm-5:30pm. Enjoy the convenience of one shot and done!
To schedule an appointment, please call:(860) 368-2271.
Message from Our Pediatrics Team
April 27, 2021
If you have children or know children who are 16 or 17 years of age, our Pediatrics Department would like to offer to vaccinate your children, even if they are not a Starling patient.
Starling Physicians Pediatric Department at 300 Kensington Ave will be holding Pfizer Covid Vaccine Clinics next week:
- Tues, April 27 through Friday, April 30, 2021. Please call their office at (860) 224-6282 to schedule your appointment.
Vernon Pediatrics at 357 Hartford Turnpike Vernon will be doing drive-up Pfizer clinics:
- Tuesday 4/27, Wednesday 4/28, Thursday 4/29, Friday 4/30 starting at 5:30pm each day. Please call to schedule an appointment: (860) 871-2102.
These clinics are only for 16 and 17 years old’s. Appointments are necessary. Please note, a legal guardian must be in attendance, or a Minor Consent Form must be completed prior to the appointment time.
Now Offering Vaccine Clinics for Age 16 & 17
April 23, 2021
Starling’s Pediatric Department is now offering Pfizer Vaccine Clinics.
he most recent posts.
New Britain
Tuesday, April 27 – Friday, April 30
300 Kensington Avenue
These clinics are only for 16 and 17-year-olds. Appointments are necessary. Please call our office at (860) 224-6282 to schedule your appointment.
Please note, a legal guardian must be in attendance, or a Minor Consent Form must be completed prior to the appointment time.
These clinics are open to the public and you do not need to be a Starling patient.
Vernon Pediatrics will be doing drive-up Pfizer clinics for 16 and 17-year-old’s.
Vernon
Tuesday 4/27, Wednesday 4/28, Thursday 4/29, Friday 4/30
Starting at 5:30pm each day
357 Hartford Turnpike
These clinics are only for 16 and 17 year olds. Please call to schedule an appointment (860) 871-2102. . Please note, a legal guardian must be in attendance, or a Minor Consent Form must be completed prior to the appointment time.
These clinics are open to the public and you do not need to be a Starling patient.

Moderna Vaccines Available Week of April 19
April 18, 2021
This week we have received 1000 doses of the Moderna vaccine. If you would like to schedule an appointment, please call: (860) 368-2271. Available to Starling patients and members of the community.
Vaccines Update on Johnson & Johnson and Clinics
April 13, 2021
This morning the CDC and FDA called for an immediate pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. We will hold off on administering this vaccine until further notice. An emergency meeting of the CDC’s outside advisory committee has been scheduled for Wednesday.
Our Vaccine Clinic will be canceled on April 12th and 15th. On Saturday, we will be giving the second dose of Moderna. Unfortunately, we did not receive a vaccine supply for next week although we have ordered Moderna and Pfizer vaccines and will let you know when they are available in our office.
We will keep you updated when we will get an additional supply of vaccines so we can resume appointments.
Vaccine Now Available for Patients & The Community
April 7, 2021
Now offering vaccines to Starling patients and all members of the community! Call (860) 368-2271 to schedule an appointment. Days and times of the week will vary so please call us for options.
Vaccine Clinics
April 5, 2021
We continue to offer clinics for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson shots at 300 Kensington Avenue in New Britain. You do not need to be a Starling patient. Time and dates for clinics will vary each week.
Please call (860) 368-2271 to schedule a visit. You WILL NOT be given a choice of which vaccine you will receive and must be willing to receive either vaccine upon arrival.
Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are approved for individuals 18 years and older.The Pfizer vaccine is currently the only COVID-19 vaccine approved for teenagers. Currently, we do not have the Pfizer vaccine. We will notify you when we receive a supply and can vaccinate those patients age 16 or 17.
On the date of your appointment you will receive an email or text that will require a questionnaire to be filled out prior to receiving your COVID vaccine. This is mandatory for the state.
Upcoming COVID Vaccine Clinics
April 1, 2021
Next week we are offering clinics for the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson shots at 300 Kensington Avenue in New Britain. You do not need to be a Starling patient..
Please call (860) 368-2271 to schedule a visit. You WILL NOT be given a choice of which vaccine you will receive and must be willing to receive either vaccine upon arrival.
Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are approved for individuals 18 years and older.The Pfizer vaccine is currently the only COVID-19 vaccine approved for teenagers. Currently, we do not have the Pfizer vaccine. We will notify you when we receive a supply and can vaccinate those patients age 16 or 17.
On the date of your appointment you will receive an email or text that will require a questionnaire to be filled out prior to receiving your COVID vaccine. This is mandatory for the state.
Now Offering the COVID Vaccine
March 30, 2021
We are thrilled to share that the state has finally allocated us a supply of vaccines. You must be a patient of a Starling provider to be eligible.
March 31st: Johnson & Johnson Clinic
We have 200 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccines. They will be administered:
Wednesday, March 31
2:30pm-5pm
300 Kensington Avenue, New Britain
Please call (860) 368-2271. The first 200 patients who call will be scheduled. You must be in the eligible group of age 45+ or in a specified eligible occupation. Visit https://portal.ct.gov/vaccine-portal/COVID-19-Vaccination-Phases to see if you qualify.
Clinics Offering Moderna and Johnson & Johnson
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday starting the week of April 5:
2:30pm-5pm
300 Kensington Avenue, New Britain
Please call (860) 368-2271 to schedule a visit. You WILL NOT be given a choice of which vaccine you will receive and must be willing to receive either vaccine upon arrival.
Beginning April 1st, individuals 16 years and older are eligible to receive the vaccine in the state of Connecticut. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson are approved for individuals 18 years and older.The Pfizer vaccine is currently the only COVID-19 vaccine approved for teenagers. Currently, we do not have the Pfizer vaccine. We will notify you when we receive a supply and can vaccinate those patients age 16 or 17.
Prior to Your Appointment
On the date of your appointment you will receive an email or text that will require a questionnaire to be filled out prior to receiving your COVID vaccine. This is mandatory for the state.
If you have already received your vaccine, congratulations! Thank you for doing your part to protect yourself, your loved ones, and the community. There is no need to contact us to be removed from our wait list. Please direct questions to our Vaccine Hotline at (860) 368-2271.
Proud to Support Our Community in the Vaccine Effort
March 25, 2021

Although Starling has still not received vaccines to administer in our offices, we are pleased to support our community and help residents of Connecticut get vaccinated as safely and quickly as possible.
- We are proud to work with Rocky Hill, Berlin, and Newington school systems on vaccinating their teachers and staff. While they have their own supply of vaccines to administer, we have worked for weeks to provide oversight, assist with registration, help at their clinics, and ensure that medical care is on hand in the rare instance of a reaction. Our staff has worked many hours and weekends to serve in this critical role to help our teachers get vaccinated.
- Physicians on our team have donated their time to be on hand at large vaccination sites. They are there to greet patients, provide medical oversight, and ensure that these clinics run smoothly.
Getting our state residents vaccinated is a top priority for Starling. Do your part and when you are eligible, make sure to get your vaccine in a location that is convenient for you!
Vaccine Safety – Know the Facts!
March 22, 2021
We encourage all patients to get the COVID vaccine once you are eligible, wherever it is convenient. We still do not have it in our offices. Here are some helpful resources from the Department of Public Health to reinforce the benefits of getting a vaccine and reassure you about its safety.
- Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines
- Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines
- Benefits of Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine
- Frequently Asked Questions about the Vaccine
- How to talk about COVID-19 vaccines with friends and family
Is it a cold, allergy, or COVID?
March 19, 2021
Many patients with known postnasal drip and cough from the allergies have been afraid to be around others due to concern from others that the cough may be secondary to possible COVID. Many of these patients have repeatedly been tested for COVID to rule out possible infection. Therefore, adequately controlling allergies is crucial this year to help avoid some confusion and unnecessary need for COVID testing.
Starling Allergist, Dr.Jigisha Morosky, is available to see patients for consultations regarding allergy testing, treatment, and questions regarding COVID vaccines. She sees patients in Wethersfield, Enfield, and Glastonbury: (860) 749-7001.
Click here for some of Dr. Morosky’s recommendations for over the counter and home remedies>
Accelerated Vaccine Schedule
March 15, 2021
Governor Ned Lamont announced on March 15th that he is accelerating Connecticut’s age-based rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine to proceed on a quicker schedule than was originally anticipated when it was announced last month. The revised schedule is as follows:
- Residents age 45-54 are eligible on March 19th
- Vaccine tentatively planned to expand to all individuals over the age of 16 by April 5
This news comes as the state was informed by the Biden administration that it should anticipate receiving a significant increase in supplies of all three federally authorized vaccines over the next several weeks.
Connecticut continues to rank among the top five states in the nation in the percentage of population that has been vaccinated.
Vaccine Update
March 15, 2021
Thank you for your patience as we wait for the State of Connecticut to allocate us vaccines. We hope to start in April but are dependent upon the state for our supply. In the meantime, we encourage you to get the vaccine when you are eligible, wherever it is convenient and available.
Once we get approval, we will contact patients who have joined our Vaccine Wait List. Initially, we plan to administer vaccines on weekend clinics in New Britain and Wethersfield and then will expand. Click here if you would like to join our wait list. This is not a guarantee of an appointment,
COVID-19 Travel Advisory Mandate for CT to be Lifted
March 15, 2021
By March 19, Connecticut will take a major step toward getting back to normal as many business restrictions and travel mandates will be lifted.
For anyone traveling to and from the state, this upcoming Friday (3/19) will be the beginning of things looking a bit different.
Part of Governor Ned Lamont’s roll back on restrictions include lifting the state’s travel advisory mandate. It will turn what was a requirement into a recommendation, meaning passengers will no longer be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test or quarantine for 10 days after travel.
Officials at Bradley said they plan to keep its original COVID-19 test site in place for now and the state Department of Public Health will reassess in the coming weeks.
Other Mandates Being Lifted March 19
Capacity limits will be eliminated at restaurants, gyms, personal services and houses of worship. Also included in that is libraries, museums and aquariums.
“We’re gonna keep going what works and I think that’s important for your business so that people slowly start coming back in, they’ll feel more confident when they see people wearing the mask,” Governor Lamont said.
Even with all the changes, Lamont still recommends wearing a mask, continuing special cleaning and social distancing in public. At Staring, we will continue with out safety measures and ask all patients to continue to be vigilant.
Source: NBC Connecticut
Pregnancy and the COVID-19 Vaccine
March 13, 2021

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that COVID-19 vaccines should not be withheld from pregnant individuals who choose to be vaccinated. While limited, current safety data on the use of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy do not indicate any safety concerns. ACOG recommends that pregnant individuals be free to make their own decision regarding COVID-19 vaccination. Pregnant individuals are encouraged to discuss vaccination considerations with their Starling OB/GYN team.
Click here for some helpful information on this topic.
Medicare covers FDA-Approved COVID-19 Vaccines
March 5, 2021
You pay nothing for the COVID-19 vaccine. You won’t pay a deductible or copayment, and your provider can’t charge you an administration fee to give you the shot.
A COVID-19 vaccine helps reduce the risk of illness from COVID-19 by working with the body’s natural defenses to safely develop protection (immunity) to the virus.
Things to know
- Be sure to bring your red, white, and blue Medicare card so your health care provider or pharmacy can bill Medicare. You’ll need your Medicare card even if you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan.
- If you fill out a form to get the vaccine, you may be asked for your insurer’s group number. If you have Part B, leave this field blank or write “N/A.” If you have trouble with the form, talk with your vaccine provider.
- Medicare also covers COVID-19 tests, COVID-19 antibody tests, and COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatments.
Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine Authorized by the U.S. FDA for Emergency Use
February 28, 2021
U.S. regulators have formally approved the single-shot Johnson & Johnson (J&J) coronavirus vaccine, the third vaccine to be authorized in the country.
The vaccine is set to be a cost-effective alternative to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and can be stored in a refrigerator instead of a freezer.
The new vaccine’s 72% efficacy rate in the U.S falls short of the roughly 95% rate found in Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. However, across all trial sites, the Johnson & Johnson vaccine showed 85% percent efficacy against hospitalization and death.
President Biden’s chief medical adviser, Dr. Anthony Fauci, advised people to take the Johnson & Johnson shot, when asked about its effectiveness compared with the other two approved vaccines.
Dr. Fauci told NBC: “All three of them are really quite good, and people should take the one that’s most available to them. If you go to a place and you have J&J, and that’s the one that’s available now, I would take it.”
We Will Soon be Offering the COVID Vaccine
February 24, 2021
We are planning to get state clearance within days to begin administering the vaccine.
What You Need to Know:
- Vaccine will be offered at:
- 1260 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield
- 300 Kensington Avenue, New Britain
- Vaccines are only available to patients of Starling providers. Appointments are required.
- In the beginning, we will be vaccinating on weekends. We then will begin gradually vaccinating during the week.
- If you signed up to receive the vaccine through our website, a Starling employee will call you to make your appointment. Your second vaccine will be scheduled prior to leaving after your initial first dose. Please call (860) 368-2271 with questions.
- We will be delivering the Moderna, as well as the Pfizer and possibly Johnson and Johnson vaccine at this time. You will not have a choice on which vaccine you receive.
- You must be in an eligible phase to schedule your appointment. No exceptions can be made. Identification will be required upon check-in.
- March 1: Teachers and childcare providers of all ages; patients ages 55-64
- March 22: Ages 45-54
- April 12: Ages 35-44
- May 3: Ages 16-34
- We ask that you arrive 5 minutes prior to your vaccine appointment, but no earlier. After you receive the shot, you will be asked to remain in our facility for 15 minutes to ensure that there is no adverse reaction or 30 minutes if you have a history of anaphylaxis.
- We now offer a Vaccine Hotline for updates and questions. Please do not contact your provider’s office about the vaccine. Visit https://www.starlingphysicians.com/covid/ or call our hotline for the most current information.
- If you have registered for our Vaccine Wait List and are no longer interested, please call our Vaccine Hotline and leave your name and date of birth and we will remove you from our list.

Roll Up Your Sleeves
February 23, 2021
Our providers want to encourage all patients to get the vaccine, whenever you are eligible and wherever it is convenient. Hear some of our providers discuss the key role that vaccines play and why getting the COVID vaccine is critical to protect yourself, your loved ones, and the community.
New Vaccine Hotline
February 22, 2021
We now offer Starling patients a Vaccine Hotline: 860-368-2271. This provides the most current information available on our vaccine status. Thank you for your patience as we await more details from the State about when we will have the vaccine available in our offices. Please see the Questions/Answers below to address common questions.

Answers to Questions About the Vaccine

February 18, 2021 – PLEASE REFER TO OUR MORE RECENT POST ON VACCINE
When does Starling expect to get the vaccine?
Unfortunately, we don’t have an exact timeline and are waiting for the State of Connecticut to determine when we will get the vaccine, and the quantity we can expect to receive. We are hoping to get the vaccine within the next few weeks but that is entirely dependent upon the state.
Where will the vaccine be administered?
We plan to start with Wethersfield (1260 Silas Deane) and New Britain (300 Kensington Ave.). We then hope to add other locations including Newington, Enfield, and Vernon. The exact number of locations will be determined once we get approval from the state.
When will vaccines be administered?
We will set up clinics specifically designed to administer the vaccine. Clinics will be held throughout the day and hours are currently being determined. Vaccines will not be administered during office visits.
Why was I asked to complete an online registration form?
As we prepare to administer the vaccine, we need to get a count of the number of patients who plan to get the vaccine once it is available. This will allow us to determine the number of locations, hours, and staffing required to meet the demands of our patients. However, once again, the number of vaccines we will have available will be dependent on the quantity provided to us by the federal and state governments. If you did not receive the form, click here to complete it. Or, click on the Vaccine Wait List button on the top of this page.
If I completed the online ‘Reserve Your Dose’ form, am I set to get the vaccine?
No. This form just lets us know you are interested once the vaccine becomes available in our offices. Completing this form is not a guarantee of an appointment. You will still need to book a vaccine appointment once we provide more information around scheduling.
How will I sign up for an initial appointment?
Once we are ready to book appointments, we will launch an online booking system to set up your appointment. We also will have a phone number for those individuals without online access. More details will follow about how to book appointments.
How will I sign up for the second shot?
We are finalizing this process and more details will follow.
Should I wait to get my vaccine at Starling?
We encourage you to get the vaccine as soon as possible, wherever it is convenient. If you have the option to get it before we begin administering the vaccine, we advise you to do so.
Who will be able to get the vaccine?
We will adhere to the state’s phase guidelines. Starting February 11, individuals between the ages of 65 and 74 will be eligible. This next phase will also include frontline essential workers and individuals with underlying medical conditions and/or increased risk for severe illness. More details will follow.
Do I have to be a Starling patient?
Yes. We will only administer the vaccine to patients who see a Starling provider – whether it be a primary care provider or one of our specialists. Down the road, we may be able to accommodate non-Starling patients but not at the onset.
Which vaccine will you administer?
At this point, we expect to receive both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. There are only small differences, but both the vaccines that are currently authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are highly effective based on trials.
Patients will not be able to select which type they receive. We have recently installed the necessary refrigeration systems to ensure that we can meet the safety standards for both vaccines.
What can I expect when receiving the vaccine?
We will have carefully trained medical staff administering the vaccine. After you receive the shot, you will be asked to remain in our facility for 15 minutes to ensure that there is no adverse reaction. The CDC recommends 30 minutes of observation for anyone with a history of anaphylaxis.
Common side effects which may occur on the arm where you get the shot including soreness, pain, or swelling. You may also experience fever, chills, tiredness, or headache.
Severe allergic reaction, known as anaphylaxis, is very rare, and is treatable with epinephrine (a.k.a. an EpiPen) and antihistamines, and the vaccine recipients who experienced it have all recovered.
The CDC provides helpful information about what to expect and how to manage possible side effects here:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/expect/after.html.
Can people who have already had COVID-19 get the vaccine?
Yes. The CDC recommends that you get vaccinated even if you have already had COVID-19 because you can catch it more than once. You can receive the vaccine any time after your prescribed isolation period and your symptoms have resolved, but since you have antibodies for a 90-day period and re-infection is not likely during that timeframe, you can also choose to wait until after 90 days to get immunized.
If I get a vaccination, where will my information go? Can I be sure it will be kept safe?
Your personal and healthcare information will be kept private and will not be shared outside of your healthcare provider’s office and the Department of Public Health. Personal identifying information such as your name, contact information, and address will be treated as confidential healthcare information and will not be shared with law enforcement or the federal government without a court order or similar legal compulsion.
Where can I go for more information?
We now offer Starling patients a Vaccine Hotline: (860) 368-2271. This will provide the most current information available on our vaccine status.
We kindly ask that you do not call our offices about the vaccine. Our staff will not be able to answer additional questions at this time. We will continue to share information on this page and on our hotline.
The State of Connecticut COVID portal is a valuable resource. They provide a wide range of information which includes eligibility for each phase, questions/answers, and what to expect after getting the vaccine. Visit https://portal.ct.gov/coronavirus.
Double Masking
February 17, 2021
There has been recent news about double masking. Because layering masks reduces the ability of germs to make it through face coverings, it’s more likely to do a better job of protecting you from infectious respiratory droplets. This is especially true with cloth masks which, depending on the material, number of layers, and fit, may be better with an additional layer of protection.
Some may wonder why our providers are not double masking. First, our providers wear medical grade masks that are secure and fit properly. Second, many of our providers are vaccinated. Third, our providers are extremely focused on hygienic and safety measures. If we thought our masking policy for providers in any way posed a risk to our patients, we would re-evaluate.
Here is a helpful article on double masking and when it may be appropriate for the general public.
COVID Testing for Starling Patients
February 16, 2021
We now offer COVID testing for Starling patients at 300 Kensington. A physician referral is required. If you believe you need a COVID test, please contact your provider’s office.
Be Prepared for These Screening Questions
February 12, 2021
We continue to screen patients prior to appointments and upon arrival. Please be prepared to address the following questions before seeing your provider.
Vaccine Follow-Up
February 9, 2021
We recently communicated that we hope to soon deliver the COVID-19 vaccine in select offices. We asked our patients to complete a brief form indicating whether they would like to receive the vaccine when they become eligible so we could formalize our planning.
We know there are many questions – some of which we can answer at this time, and other information that is dependent on our state government.
We kindly ask that you do not call our offices about the vaccine. Above we have shared some common questions and answers. We will soon be providing a direct line to contact about vaccine related issues.
Thank you for your patience. We know this is an extremely trying time and we will do our best to communicate as regularly as possible.
Vaccines Coming Soon to Starling
February 8, 2021

We hope to soon acquire doses for our patients, to be given in select offices. For planning, we are now compiling a waiting list of all patients who would like to receive the vaccine once they meet the appropriate criteria for a phase. Eligibility for each phase is dictated by the State of Connecticut.
If you would like to receive a vaccine in our offices, click here to enter some information. We will notify you when we are ready to set up your appointment. It is important to note that complete the form is letting us know you want the vaccine when it becomes available in our offices, It is not a guarantee of an appointment.
There is no need to contact our office to schedule an appointment at this time. We will send updates as we receive information and look forward to seeing you soon!
Update on Where to Book Appointments (age 75 and above)
January 17, 2021
Starling plans to distribute the vaccine once it is made available to us by the state. Until then, we are committed to helping our patients navigate through the vaccine process. Here are some of the most up to date options for securing a vaccine appointment. PLEASE NOTE, SINCE THIS POST THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHER OPTIONS AVAIALBE.
UConn Health
- To schedule a vaccine appointment at UConn Health in Farmington, you must be registered in advance with UConn Health MyChart. Once registered, individuals can self-schedule a date and time through MyChart to receive the first dose of the vaccine. Second dose appointments are made when the individual receives their first dose.
- Detailed instructions to follow for online scheduling can be found by clicking here.
- UConn Health phone scheduling: 860-679-5589 (Choose option 2). The program’s general line is 860-679-8888 for general questions or vaccine issues.
Hartford HealthCare
- To register online go to hartfordhealthcare.org/vaccines
- To register by phone, Hartford HealthCare Access Center at 860.827.7690 or toll-free at 833.943.5721.
Online: Just click the tab under “Are you 75 or older” to learn more. For your safety, vaccinations are available by appointment only. Hartford HealthCare is making it easy for you to schedule at one of our vaccine clinics.
You’ll need a MyChartPLUS account to make an appointment.
- If you HAVE a MyChartPLUS account, just log in, go to “Visits” or “Appointments” and find a vaccine clinic and time convenient for you.
- If you DO NOT have a MyChartPLUS account, you can set one up on this website: MyChartPlus.org
- We have step-by-step instructions at HartfordHealthCare.org/instructions
If you have followed the directions and still have issues scheduling your vaccine in MyChartPLUS, the MyChart support line is there to help: call 860.972.4993.
- Yale New Haven Health will begin vaccinating individuals who are 75 and older – the first group in the state’s Phase 1B – beginning Wednesday, Jan. 20. Appointments will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. Click here.
- These YNHHS public vaccination sites will begin to open next week: North Haven, New London, Old Saybrook and Trumbull. A Greenwich site will begin the week of Jan. 25.
- More sites will be added as they are approved.
Trinity Health of New England
- Trinity Health Of New England is offering those eligible, who would like to be vaccinated, several options for an appointment, which is is mandatory, as the clinics are not able to take walk-ins.
- Patients may schedule their own appointment using a valid email address via the state’s Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS) online Enrollment Portal or eventually through MyCare.
- For more information on these options, please visit Trinity Health Of New England’s Schedule Your Vaccine webpage: TrinityHealthOfNE.org/Appointment
Schedule through the online Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS)
- Many providers can be accessed through the VAMS scheduling system including:
- Trinity Health of New England (hospitals and other locations)
- Griffin Hospital
- Nuvance Health
- Stamford Hospital
- Bristol Hospital
- Local Health Departments
- Federally Qualified Health Centers
- All information submitted through VAMS or the assist line will be kept private and will only be used to schedule vaccinations. The link also contains a detailed and extensive list of frequently asked questions about the vaccine, helping to ease any concerns members of the public may have.
Those over the age of 75 without the ability to apply online can call the Connecticut COVID Vaccine Appointment Assist Line at 877-918-2224.
- The line will take calls on Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will offer a call-back option when all contact specialists are busy serving other callers. The team will aim to return calls as soon as possible, with the goal of same-day response.
(The state said more locations will be added in the coming weeks)
Phase 1B: Who is eligible:
- Individuals 75 years of and older (appointments available now)
- Individuals between the ages of 65 and 74
- Individuals between the ages of 16 and 64 with comorbidities
- Individuals and staff in congregate settings
- Front line essential workers:
- Healthcare personnel not included in Phase 1A
- First responders
- Agricultural workers, including farmworkers
- Food service and restaurants
- U.S. Postal Service workers
- Manufacturing workers
- Grocery store & pharmacy workers
- Food banks and meal delivery services for the elderly
- Education and child-care workers
- Solid waste and wastewater workers
- Inspectors working on site in the above locations
- Frontline public and social services
For more questions about the vaccine, click here.
The information for this post was provided by WFSB.
Enroll in VAMS for Vaccine Administration
January 15, 2021
The Department of Public Health has an enrollment system for the vaccine. Fill out a simple form to register with the Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS). You will need to enter your full name, date of birth, eligible occupation (including “retired”), and email address. The information you enter will only be used for purposes of scheduling your vaccination, and will be kept private.
Once registered, VAMS will email you to guide you through the appointment process for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
At this time, ONLY people eligible under Phase 1a or who are age 75 and over may register here. Please only fill out this form if you are eligible to receive the vaccine.

Two Options for Vaccine Appointments
(Please refer to January 17th post for more updated list of options)
January 13, 2021
We are now in phase 1B. Starling will be administering the vaccine once the state provides it to us. Until then, here are some options.
COVID Vaccine Update
January 12, 2021
Connecticut is currently in Phase 1a of our statewide rollout plan.
- Healthcare Personnel
- Long-Term Care Facility Residents
- Medical First Responders
According to the Govenor and the State of Connecticut website, we will soon be entering Phase 1b in mid January. Three primary groups will be eligible for the vaccine in Phase 1b:
- Front line essential workers
- Individuals and staff in congregate settings
- Individuals 75 years of and older (please see additional info below)
Information about scheduling a vaccination for those 75 and older is coming soon, and will be CT’s main COVID-19 Vaccination Portal. Click here for details.
To schedule an appointment through Hartford Healthcare, click here.
Please do not contact your Starling provider and we are not distributing the vaccine, handling appointments, or keeping a waiting list.
For all others: The COVID-19 Vaccine Advisory Group will next meet on January 14th. We will have more information for employers and other individuals following this meeting. Please visit our Connecticut’s COVID-19 Vaccination Portal regularly for all the latest updates.
Phase 1c
Updated information will be coming soon!
COVID Vaccine Safety
January 6, 2021
In the coming weeks, we hope that the vaccine will continue to become more readily distributed throughout Connecticut. We will keep you updated as details are known.
Some people may have questions about the vaccine safety. Here are some things to consider:
- The vaccines were well-tested in multiple countries and with numerous investigators, researchers, and governmental organizations going over the data. There is universal agreement.
- Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines were proven to be about 95% protective in clinical trials.
- Side effects are typical for vaccines, local discomfort and mild systemic symptoms.
- More severe allergic reactions are quite uncommon. There is a significant amount of misinformation circulating about this.
- Remember that a vaccine, or any medication, doesn’t have to have a perfect, zero side-effect record to be a good idea. It is clear that the chance of harm from the vaccine is far, far lower than the chance of harm from COVID-19. That’s what you have to measure it against.
Historically, all of the serious side effects associated with vaccination occur within 6 weeks of a dose. All of the trials that have been done have mandated at least a 2 month follow up. So we can now say that the vaccines don’t cause a serious uncommon side effect. But 10,000 people isn’t 10 million people. So we can’t yet say the vaccine doesn’t cause a serious rare side effect. But in the US, now more than 4 million people have been vaccinated. No serious permanent side effects so far. The virus, on the other hand, as we have seen can lead to a serious and fatal disease.
So, these are some of the facts to weigh as you consider your options.
Dr. Walker Interview on Channel 3
December 16, 2020
Dr. Scott Walker talks with Channel 3 about COVID-19 symptoms, testing, and when to contact your doctor or seek care.
COVID Updates On Safety & Testing
December 11, 2020
Connecticut’s positivity rate continues to rise state and nation-wide. Here is some information to help you stay safe and know when to seek care.
- Symptoms of COVID-19:
- People with COVID-19 can have mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms can appear 2-14 days after being exposed to the virus. Symptoms most commonly emerge within 3-5 days of exposure.
- Symptoms can include cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever or chills, muscle or body aches, sore throat, headache, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, runny nose or stuffy nose, fatigue, and recent loss of taste or smell.
- Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have mild illness.
- Some people have no symptoms at all – but can still be contagious to others.
- When to get tested:
- If you have fever or chills, new cough, or new shortness of breath, you should stay home and arrange to be tested for COVID.
- If you have had a known close contact exposure to someone with COVID, you should be tested, even if you have only one mild symptom or no symptoms at all; you also should quarantine until test results are back.
- In certain situations, it is recommended that you be tested – even if you do not have symptoms – if you are a health care worker, first responder, work in a facility such as a nursing home, or live in communities at high risk. Some of these situations include being exposed to someone with COVID-19 without adequate protection, or detection of asymptomatic spread during an outbreak.
- Types of tests:
- There are three types of tests available for COVID-19:
- nucleic acid (PCR test);
- antigen (rapid) tests, used to diagnose a person with current infection with the SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19; and
- antibody test, that helps determine if someone was infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the past.
- If you are having symptoms for COVID-19, or are not sick but have had unprotected prolonged close contact with someone with COVID-19, you should have a nucleic acid (PCR) diagnostic test.
- Testing is not a free pass and is only an indicator at a moment in time that you are not infected. You still need to practice safety measures including masks, social distancing, and limiting social interactions.
- There are three types of tests available for COVID-19:
- Quarantine guidelines:
- The government has now shortened the mandatory quarantine guidelines from 14 days to 7 days with a negative PCR test and no symptoms, or 10 days without a test. However, it is important to check with work or school to determine what their criteria is for return.
- These are the minimum guidelines and it still is very important to self-quarantine if you believe you have been exposed. Symptoms can still emerge up to 14 days after exposure.
- If traveling, which we do not advise, it is important to check guidelines for entering/ returning from different states.
- Visit https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/travel for Connecticut’s guidelines.
- When to call the doctor:
- If you think you have COVID-19 and feel like you have symptoms, you should first call your primary care provider to talk about your symptoms.
- Call your doctor for a fever that does not go down with fever-reducing medicine, for any severe symptoms, or for symptoms that get worse over time.
- Do not use aspirin, as it is not advised for influenza; use Tylenol instead; Tylenol is also recommended for COVID.
- Where to get tested:
- If you think you have COVID-19 and feel like you have symptoms, you should first call your primary care provider to talk about your symptoms.
- At Starling, we will be testing patients on a limited basis, starting in mid-December in our Glastonbury location.
- Patients will be pre-screened and will only be tested if they meet certain criteria.
- Testing is available in many locations throughout Connecticut, free of charge. To find a location near you:
- You can find a testing site by visitinggov/coronavirus, typing your zip code into the box that says “Find a Testing Site Near You” and clicking “GO.”
- You can visit 211ct.org to locate the nearest testing site.
- Click here for a list of sites that our staff have compiled to assist you find testing sites for adults and children.
- You can call 2-1-1.
- Staying Safe: These messages continue to be repeated but cannot be emphasized enough.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If you use a hand sanitizer, make sure the alcohol content is above 60%.
- Inside your home, if someone is sick at home, the person should be isolated as much as possible, they should wear a mask and anyone else in the house should also wear a mask.
- Outside your home, allow 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household.
- Everyone should wear a mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
- Always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, or use the inside of your elbow, and do not spit.
- Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
- Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19. This is especially important if you are running essential errands, going into the office or workplace, and in settings where it may be difficult to keep a physical distance of 6 feet.
- A vaccine is coming:
- A vaccine is almost here, which is great news. First phase will be for healthcare personnel and residents of long-term care facilities.
- After that, vaccines will be rolled out to high risk individuals, the elderly, and then to all members of the community.
- Please don’t call your provider at this time to request a vaccine. We will be working closely with state officials and will ccommunicate with our patients as soon as we have information to share.
- Holidays:
- We know it is tempting to spend holidays with large groups of friends and family. Please DO NOT gather with large groups this year.
- Connecticut is at a manageable point, but that can quickly change if people do not follow state guidelines.
- With a vaccine on the way by late spring/ early summer, everyone who wants a vaccine should be able to get vaccinated.
- Hang in there, and thank you for partnering with us to keep yourself and everyone around us safe.
- For more information:
- https://portal.ct.gov/ has a wide range of information on testing and other important state-related COVID information.
- https://www.cdc.gov has useful information on safety protocol and guidelines.
Is it Cold, Flu, Allergy or COVID?
December 10, 2020
Now is a difficult time of year and it’s hard to distinguish. Consider the following:
- Cold symptoms are mild, and the common cold tends not to be associated with fever or headache. Congestion/ runny nose is common for the common cold and would be uncommon to be the only symptom for influenza. Congestion/runny nose can be a symptom of a COVID infection and might be the only symptom in mild cases.
- Flu symptoms are often of rapid onset. COVID symptoms can be of rapid or more gradual onset.
- One symptom that is more unique to a COVID infection is the loss of taste or smell.
- Winter allergies to dust, mold, and animals can also cause symptoms that can be confused with other ailments. Starling has an Allergy team and now is a good time for allergy testing to determine common triggers and get relief. Click here to learn more.
- Click on the link below for a helpful chart that shows different symptoms for cold, flu, allergies, and COVID.
Click here for helpful chart on symptoms >
Where to Get Tested
December 9, 2020
We know if can be difficult to know where to turn for COVID. Testing is available in many locations throughout Connecticut, free of charge. Some sites, however, will require a medical visit which may entail a charge.
Some helpful options to find a location near you include:
- You can find a testing site by visitinggov/coronavirus, typing your zip code into the box that says “Find a Testing Site Near You” and clicking “GO.”
- You can visit 211ct.org to locate the nearest testing site.
- You can call 2-1-1.
Click read more for a list of sites that Starling staff put together that may be helpful. Due to rapidly evolving situation, it is important to confirm information prior to your visit and this list is not exhaustive. Please note that some sites will not test children under 10.
Beware of COVID Scams
December 4, 2020
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General continues to alert the public about fraud schemes related to COVID-19.
Fraudsters are using telemarketing calls, text messages, social media platforms, and door-to-door visits to perpetrate COVID-19-related scams.
These scammers use the coronavirus pandemic to benefit themselves, and beneficiaries face potential harm. The personal information collected can be used to fraudulently bill federal health care programs and commit medical identity theft.
Protect yourself and your loved ones from potential scams.
- Be aware that scammers are pretending to be COVID-19 contact tracers or are contacting people unexpectedly to offer COVID-19 tests and supplies. Do not respond to calls from or engage in visits with unknown individuals.
- Be cautious of unsolicited requests for personal, medical, or financial information.
- Be vigilant and protect yourself from potential fraud concerning COVID-19 vaccines. You will not be asked for money to enhance your ranking for vaccine eligibility. Government and State officials will not call you to obtain personal information in order to receive the vaccine, and you will not be solicited door-to-door to receive the vaccine.
If you suspect COVID-19 health care fraud, report it immediately online or call 1-800-447-8477.
For more information, visit OIG.HHS.GOV.

No Visitors Please
November 18, 2020
Please be aware that no family members or guests are allowed with patients to visits unless absolutely necessary for translating or help with walking or mobility. We continue to strive to keep our patients and staff safe and appreciate your cooperation.
Office Safety Guidelines
September 1, 2020
We continue to take every precaution to make Starling a COVID-19 safe environment for our patients, our providers, and our staff. For patients that are high-risk or are not comfortable coming to the office at this time, we still offer Telemedicine visits.
Please note the following procedures:
- We take the temperature of all patients and staff before entering our offices.
- We screen patients and staff for symptoms prior to visits or work; patients with any symptoms will be asked to return to their car. The medical assistant will talk to the physician and a telemedicine visit may take place instead of an office visit or the office visit will be rescheduled for a later date. Staff will be sent for testing and remain at home until the results are received.
- In many locations, we will minimize the time in the waiting room by texting patients in their car when it is time to enter the office.
- Patients, staff, and providers, are required to wear masks in our office.
- If you cannot wear a mask, we ask that you schedule a telemedicine visit. If you require oxygen, we ask that you wear it under the mask.
- Exam rooms and waiting areas are thoroughly cleaned pre- and post-patient visits.
- Social distancing is required in all areas. Our waiting rooms have been revamped to make this possible.
- We strongly discourage visitors at appointments. For patients requiring assistance, we are limiting to one guest.
- Observe travel-related restrictions: Connecticut has travel restrictions requiring 14-day self-quarantine of visitors or returning residents from states with a daily new average of 10 percent or higher COVID-19 positive test rates over a rolling 7 day period. Please refer to https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/travel for the most current list of states, as well as frequently asked questions about travel policies. As of September 1, this list includes 33 states. Both patients and staff are required to observe this mandatory 14-day self-quarantine before coming to the office.
Thank you for partnering with us so we can continue to deliver the highest quality care in the safest manner.
What to Know About Contact Tracing
August 20, 2020
If you’ve been in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, you may be contacted by a contact tracer or public health worker from your state or local health department in an effort to help slow the spread of the disease. Here’s what to know if you get a call:
- A contact tracer may call to let you know you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. All information you share with a contact tracer, like who you’ve been in contact with and your recent whereabouts, is confidential.
- You may be asked to self-quarantine for 14 days. This means staying home, monitoring your health, and maintaining social distance from others at all times.
- You may be asked to monitor your health and watch for symptoms of COVID-19. Notify your doctor if you develop symptoms, and seek medical care if your symptoms worsen or become severe.
Be aware of scammers pretending to be COVID-19 contact tracers. Legitimate contact tracers will never ask for your Medicare Number or financial information. If someone calls and asks for personal information, like your Medicare Number, hang up and report it to us at 1-800-MEDICARE.
Back to School Concerns
August 10, 2020
Now, more than ever, going back to school is a stressful time! Starling pediatrician, Dr. Jonathan Reidel, shares some helpful articles from physician leaders at Connecticut’s Children Hospital.
- Should you send your child back to school? A checklist to help you decide.
Click here - Is it safe to send children back? A message from Connecticut’s Children’s Physician-in-Chief.
Click here - Is it safe to send my child if he/she has asthma or other conditions? What to consider.
Click here
Please keep in mind that information is rapidly changing. For example, children under 12 are capable of spreading COVID, whereas originally that was not thought to be the case.
Returning to in-person instruction is a personal decision. Our goal is to provide you with resources to help you determine what is right for you and your family.
Proper Use of Hand Sanitizer
July 17, 2020
CDC recommends washing hands with soap and water whenever possible because handwashing reduces the amounts of all types of germs and chemicals on hands. But if soap and water are not available, using a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can help you avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.
However, it is very important to use hand sanitizer properly. Here are some recommendations.
To use hand sanitizer correctly, the CDC recommends applying the gel to the palm of one hand, then rub your hands together while ensuring that the gel covers the surface of your hands and fingers until the gel is dry. Doing this for 30 seconds is the best way to get rid of germs, per the study’s findings.
It’s important to note that hand sanitizer does not rid of all germs, and “may not be as effective when hands are visibly dirty or greasy,” per the federal agency. Additionally, “hand sanitizers might not remove harmful chemicals from hands like pesticides and heavy metals,” it added.
In other words, handwashing with soap and water should be your go-to, when possible.
We are a COVID-19 Safe Environment
June 8, 2020
We have instituted every precaution to make Starling a COVID-19 safe environment. For patients that are high-risk or are not comfortable coming to the office at this time, we continue to offer Telemedicine visits.
Safety continues to be our top priority. Please note the following procedures.
- We take the temperature of all patients, staff, and vendors before entering our offices.
- We screen patients and staff for symptoms prior to visits or work; patients with any symptoms will be asked to return to their car. The medical assistant will talk to the physician and a telemedicine visit may take place instead of an office visit or the office visit will be rescheduled for a later date. Staff will be sent for testing and remain at home until the results are received.
- In many locations, we will minimize the time in the waiting room by texting patients in their car when it is time to enter the office.
- Patients, staff, and providers are required to wear masks in our offices.
- Exam rooms and waiting areas are thoroughly cleaned pre- and post-patient visits.
- Social distancing is required in all areas. Our waiting rooms have been revamped to make this possible.
- We strongly discourage visitors at appointments. For patients requiring assistance, we are limiting to one guest.
We thank you for strictly adhering to these policies. Together, these measures will keep you, our team, and other patients safe.
Resuming Office Visits
May 29, 2020
We are pleased to announce that we are resuming in-office visits for routine care. We also continue to offer Telemedicine visits. We are committed to maintaining a COVID-19 safe environment and have instituted numerous safety measures including: prescreenings, temperature taking, enhanced cleaning, mandatory masks, and enhanced social distancing in offices.
See below for a helpful video from our Chief Medical Office, Dr. Michael Posner to discuss the new standards of care:
Covid-19 and Children
May 13, 2020

We’re still learning about the coronavirus and the impact on children. Far fewer cases of the virus have been reported in children, and it seems to usually cause a milder infection in them than in adults and older people. But some kids have developed more serious symptoms.
Many parents wonder what to do if their child gets sick. Here’s what you need to know.
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Coronavirus can cause:
- a fever
- a cough
- sore throat
- fast breathing
- chills
- shaking with chills
- muscle pain
- headache
- a loss of taste or smell
Some kids are having symptoms caused by inflammation throughout the body, sometimes several weeks after they were infected with the virus. Research is currently underway to learn more about this condition.
Symptoms of this inflammatory condition may include:
- a fever that lasts several days
- belly pain
- vomiting or diarrhea
- a rash
- red, cracked lips
- red eyes
- swelling of the hands or feet
- joint pain
- dizziness
- vision problems
- a headache
- looking pale
What Should I Do if My Child Has Symptoms?
If your child has any of the symptoms:
- Do your best to stay calm.
- Talk to a health care provider. You can:
- Call your Starling pediatrician. Your doctor knows your child’s health history and will know if your child has any special risks. The doctor will ask how your child is doing and if they’ve been around someone with known or suspected coronavirus. Your doctor’s office will tell you what to do next and whether you need an in-person visit.
or
- Schedule a telehealth visit.
During office hours, a Starling healthcare provider can see your child at home via video using a device such as a cell phone or laptop. They can then give you guidance on how to manage your child’s symptoms.
- Call your Starling pediatrician. Your doctor knows your child’s health history and will know if your child has any special risks. The doctor will ask how your child is doing and if they’ve been around someone with known or suspected coronavirus. Your doctor’s office will tell you what to do next and whether you need an in-person visit.
- Help your child get plenty of rest and drink lots of liquids.
- Watch for signs that your child might need more medical help. Go to the ER if your child:
- looks very sick to you
- has breathing problems. Look for muscles pulling in between the ribs or the nostrils puffing out with each breath.
- is confused or very sleepy
- has chest pain
- has cold, sweaty, pale or blotchy skin
- is dizzy
Call 911 if your child is struggling to breathe, is too out of breath to talk or walk, or turns blue or has fainted.
How Can I Keep My Family Safe if My Child Has Symptoms?
- Keep your child home. This keeps your child away from other germs. It also helps prevent your child from spreading the illness to others. If the doctor thinks your child might have coronavirus, the whole family will need to stay home.
- Keep other people and pets in the house away from your child as much as possible.
- Try to have one person only care for the sick child so others are not exposed.
- If your child is over 2 years old and can wear a face mask or cloth face covering without finding it hard to breathe, have them wear one when the caregiver is in the room. Don’t leave your child alone while they’re wearing a mask or cloth face covering. If your child can’t wear one, the caregiver should wear one when in the same room. To see how to put on and remove face masks and coverings, clean them, or make your own cloth face covering, check the CDC’s guide.
- If possible, have your sick child use a different bathroom from others. If that isn’t possible, wipe down the bathroom often.
Everyone in your family should wash their hands well and often. Wash with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer and rub your hands for at least 10 seconds. - Use regular household cleaners or wipes to clean things that get touched a lot (doorknobs, light switches, toys, remote controls, phones, etc.). Do this every day.
How Do Doctors Test People for Coronavirus (COVID-19)?
Testing for COVID-19 is changing. Doctors, hospitals, commercial labs, local health departments, and the U.S. Public Health Service are working together to help get tests to the people who need them.
To test someone for coronavirus, doctors put a long Q-tip into the nose (called a nasal swab) and send it to a lab. If the person coughs up mucus, doctors might send that for testing too. Some areas offer drive-thru testing, which lets people stay in their car during the test.
If you think your child has symptoms of COVID-19, call your doctor or local health department. They will give you the most up-to-date information on testing.
How Is Coronavirus (COVID-19) Treated?
Doctors and researchers are working on medicines and a vaccine for coronavirus. Most people with the illness, including children, get better with rest, fluids, and fever-reducing medicine. Some people with more severe symptoms need treatment in the hospital.
What Else Should I Know?
Keep doing these things to keep your family healthy:
- Wash hands well and often.
- Cover coughs and sneezes.
- Avoid contact with other people, especially those who are sick.
- Make sure kids get all recommended vaccinations for other infections, like the flu and measles.
- Masks are helpful to keep germs behind a barrier. This prevents those germs from spreading to others around you.
Source: Adapted from kidshealth.org with input from Starling Pediatrician Dr. Noelle Leong.
Updates on Care Delivery
May 4, 2020
As Connecticut prepares to reopen, Starling remains focused on providing the highest quality care in the safest manner.
- We continue to conduct Telemedicine visits and Telemedicine phone calls with your provider.
- We offer patients with chronic health issues or concerns the ability to schedule an office visit.
- Please be advised some departments are beginning to reschedule appointments that were postponed till June. However, this does not apply to all departments. Please contact your provider’s office for more information.
We continue to have numerous safety measures in place to keep our patients and staff safe. This includes the following.
- We take the temperature of all patients, staff, and vendors before entering our offices.
- We screen patients and staff for symptoms prior to visits or work; patients with any symptoms will be asked to reschedule and staff will be asked not to come to work.
- Patients are required to wear masks in our offices; staff will wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Exam rooms are thoroughly cleaned pre- and post-patient visit.
- Social distancing is required in all areas.
- We strongly discourage visitors at appointments. For patients requiring assistance, we are limiting to one guest.
Our coronavirus hotline is available 7 days a week from 8:30am-4:30pm. Call 860-368-2271.
Please note that our lab hours and locations have recently been updated. Visit https://www.starlingphysicians.com/lab/ for details.
Thank you to our wonderful patients who continue to share their gratitude during this time. To hear what our patients have to share, please visit: https://www.starlingphysicians.com/hereforyou/.
Please stay safe and know we are here for you.
New Symptoms Associated with COVID-19
April 27, 2020
For weeks, the CDC has shared that fever, cough, and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing have been symptoms of COVID-19. Now they have added additional symptoms which include:
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
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.
Face Coverings/Masks Now Required
April 20, 2020
In accordance with state guidelines, starting April 20, all patients in Starling offices must wear a face covering or mask when coming to see a doctor or walking around our facilities. Below is a helpful video on ensuring a good fit and how to put masks on and off.
Update on Labs Stations and Hours
March 30, 2020
Effective March 31, we will temporarily close our lab draw stations in Bloomfield, Glastonbury, Plainville, and Southington until further notice. We will continue to operate our draw stations in Newington, Wethersfield, Enfield, and New Britain (Lake St. and 300 Kensington) but hours may change.
Please click here for a letter from our lab management >
Click here for our current lab hours and locations >
Loss of Smell and Taste
March 28, 2020
Loss of smell and taste is now added to the list of symptoms that may indicate someone is harboring the coronavirus – even you experience no other or minor symptoms. If you experience this symptom, it important to stay-at-home to prevent the spread of the disease and you should let your doctor know.
Click here for for an article on this topic.
Helpful advice for daily living during coronavirus
March 27, 2020
This is an extremely challenging time. We have created a new web page designed to help people manage stress by providing useful tips to help with everyday living. We include updates on how to clean your home, grocery shop, and ideas for stocking your pantry.
Click here to visit our new page >
Hear the Latest Updates
March 26, 2020
Starling’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Michael Posner, talks with WTIC1080 about the latest coronavirus news including symptoms, testing, research, and when to stay home >
Beware of Covid-19 Scams
March 24, 2020
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General is alerting the public about fraud schemes related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Scammers are offering COVID-19 tests to Medicare beneficiaries in exchange for personal details, including Medicare information. However, the services are unapproved and illegitimate.
Fraudsters are targeting beneficiaries in a number of ways, including telemarketing calls, social media platforms, and door-to-door visits.These scammers use the coronavirus pandemic to benefit themselves, and beneficiaries face potential harms. The personal information collected can be used to fraudulently bill Federal health care programs and commit medical identity theft. If Medicare or Medicaid denies the claim for an unapproved test, the beneficiary could be responsible for the cost.
Protect youself:
- Beneficiaries should be cautious of unsolicited requests for their Medicare or Medicaid numbers.
- Be suspicious of any unexpected calls or visitors offering COVID-19 tests or supplies. If your personal information is compromised, it may be used in other fraud schemes.
- Ignore offers or advertisements for COVID-19 testing or treatments on social media sites.
- A physician or other trusted healthcare provider should assess your condition and approve any requests for COVID-19 testing.
- If you suspect COVID-19 fraud, contact National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline (866) 720-5721 or disaster@leo.gov
Report any scams to: National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline (866) 720-5721 or disaster@leo.gov
Update on Our Pediatrics Department Hours & Locations
March 23, 2020
- We ARE seeing well newborns up to 4 month olds in our Plainville office
- We ARE seeing limited sick visits in our New Britain office
- We currently are NOT seeing patients in Newington
- All of our providers are practicing telemedicine
- Vernon will no longer offer morning walk-in sick hour; they are seeing infants for well-visits; limited sick visits; offering daily telemedicine video visits
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
March 21, 2020
We know that there are a lot of questions and concerns about how to handle the coronavirus. Please be aware that our call volume has dramatically increased. Before calling our office or on-call service, please review the advice below:
- If you have significant shortness of breath, you need to be evaluated in an emergency room.
- If you are concerned about the coronavirus but not currently sick, please see our more detailed question and answers below for complete information about the virus. You do not need to speak to a physician at this time.
- If you are in close proximity to a person with known or suspected coronavirus, you should try to minimize your contact with them and all persons in the house. Frequently wash hands, clean surfaces, avoid being within 6 feet of each other, and quarantine from the general public.
- If you have mild viral symptoms, most notably fever and cough, you should stay at home and quarantine yourself as above. You do not need to be seen in an emergency room at this time, and you can call back during normal business hours to update us on your progress if you are concerned. If you get significantly worse, consider being seen in the emergency room.
Now Offering Telemedicine Visits
March 20, 2020
We remain focused on the health and safety of our patients, staff, and the community. Our providers are now offering Telemedicine visits and providing health consultations by phone or by telehealth/video. We are rescheduling routine office visits or conducting these visits by videoconference or phone. Most specialties and services are available in select locations to care for patients with chronic health issues or urgent health needs.
Important Changes in Our Delivery of Care
March 19, 2020
As the coronavirus and its effect continue to evolve and impact our state, we remain focused on the health and safety of our patients, staff, and the community.
- At this time, we will no longer see routine well-patient visits in our offices. We ask that you call and reschedule 8-10 weeks from now.
- We are now offering Telemedicine visits. Our staff will set it up for you and your provider will call or video conference you to provide a health consultation.
- Medicare , Medicaid and most other insurance companies are providing insurance coverage for Telemedicine visits. You may have a co-pay or co-insurance.
- Some specialties and services will still be available in select locations. We will continue to see patients who have chronic health conditions including heart, lung, and kidney issues, diabetic management, and cancer care.
- Patients who require urgent care, unrelated to coronavirus, will still be seen in select locations.
- If you believe you have symptoms of coronavirus, call us first and our team will advise you on next steps.
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March 17, 2020
Below are some common questions that people have about the coronavirus and answers from the CDC. Please keep in mind that this information is rapidly evolving and we will inform you of ongoing updates.
Questions & Answers
The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person. Someone who is actively sick with COVID-19 can spread the illness to others. That is why CDC recommends that these patients be isolated either in the hospital or at home
There is information for people who have had close contact with a person confirmed to have, or being evaluated for, COVID-19 available online.
Current symptoms reported for patients with COVID-19 have included mild to severe respiratory illness with fever1, cough, and difficulty breathing.
Other Important Information
Emergency Warning Signs
If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- New confusion or inability to arouse
- Bluish lips or face
*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.
Stay home except to get medical care
- Stay home:People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to recover at home. Do not leave, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas.
- Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you feel worse or you think it is an emergency.
- Avoid public transportation:Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.
Separate yourself from other people in your home, this is known as home isolation
- Stay away from others:As much as possible, you should stay in a specific “sick room” and away from other people in your home. Use a separate bathroom, if available.
- Limit contact with pets & animals:You should restrict contact with pets and other animals, just like you would around other people.
- Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that people with the virus limit contact with animals until more information is known.
- When possible, have another member of your household care for your animals while you are sick with COVID-19. If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with them. See COVID-19 and Animals for more information.
If you or someone in your home is sick
Call ahead If you have a medical appointment, call your doctor’s office or emergency department, and tell them you have or may have COVID-19. This will help navigate your care over the phone.
Wear a facemask if you are sick
- If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office.
- If you are caring for others: If the person who is sick is not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then people who live in the home should stay in a different room. When caregivers enter the room of the sick person, they should wear a facemask. Visitors, other than caregivers, are not recommended.
Cover your coughs and sneezes
- Cover: Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
- Dispose: Throw used tissues in a lined trash can.
- Wash hands: Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Clean your hands often
- Wash hands: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.
- Hand sanitizer: If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry.
- Soap and water:Soap and water are the best option, especially if hands are visibly dirty.
- Avoid touching:Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Clean and disinfect
Routinely clean high-touch surfaces in your “sick room” and bathroom. Let someone else clean and disinfect surfaces in common areas, but not your bedroom and bathroom.
- If a caregiver or other person needs to clean and disinfect a sick person’s bedroom or bathroom, they should do so on an as-needed basis. The caregiver/other person should wear a mask and wait as long as possible after the sick person has used the bathroom.
High-touch surfaces include phones, remote controls, counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables.
Monitor your symptoms
- Seek medical attention, but call first: Seek medical care right away if your illness is worsening (for example, if you have difficulty breathing).
- Call your doctor before going in: Before going to the doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them your symptoms. They will tell you what to do.
- Wear a facemask: If possible, put on a facemask before you enter the building. If you can’t put on a facemask, try to keep a safe distance from other people (at least 6 feet away). This will help protect the people in the office or waiting room.
- Follow care instructions from your healthcare provider and local health department: Your local health authorities will give instructions on checking your symptoms and reporting in
- Don’t panic: Patients with mild viral syndrome symptoms do not need to come to the offices or ERs to be checked for coronavirus, only those with more severe disease. In the absence of high fevers and/ or more significant respiratory symptoms like shortness of breath, staying home/isolation with supportive care is recommended.
How to discontinue home isolation
- People with COVID-19 who have stayed home (home isolated) can stop home isolation under the following conditions:
- If you will not have a test to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
- You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers)
AND - other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved)
AND - at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared
- You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers)
- If you will be tested to determine if you are still contagious, you can leave home after these three things have happened:
- You no longer have a fever (without the use medicine that reduces fevers)
AND - other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved)
AND
you received two negative tests in a row, 24 hours apart. Your doctor will follow CDC guidelines.
- You no longer have a fever (without the use medicine that reduces fevers)
In all cases, follow the guidance of your healthcare provider and local health department. The decision to stop home isolation should be made in consultation with your healthcare provider and state and local health departments. Local decisions depend on local circumstances.
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New Procedures to Maximize Your Safety
March 16, 2020
Please note the new procedures below. We also have signs on our entry door alerting patients of these procedures.
Required Pre-Visit Check-In:
For the safety of our patients and staff, pre-visit check-ins are now mandatory prior to being seen. If you have an appointment, you are now required to check-in for your appointment before coming to the office.
We offer two ways to complete this check-in:
- Respond to the pre-visit communication received via text and email. Once you have completed the check-in, you will be alerted to either call the office or proceed with your appointment.
- Call the office and answer the necessary screening questions.
If one of these steps is not completed, you will not be able to be seen by your provider and will be asked to return to your car to complete the mandatory pre-visit check-in process. No walk-in visits will be allowed at this time.
One Guest Per Visit:
We encourage patients to come alone or limit guests to one. This will be part of our ongoing effort to reduce the possibility of spreading the virus by limiting the number of people that come to the offices. We request that patients sit apart from one another in waiting rooms.
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Please know that we are here for you! Visit www.starlingphysicians.com/coronavirus for frequent updates based on CDC guidelines.
As the number of coronavirus cases has increased in the United States, we want to let you know that we are actively preparing to deliver care to the community and to our patients who may be affected.
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Preparing for Coronavirus in Connecticut
March 12, 2020
We have been actively preparing to treat patients who may have coronavirus symptoms, while keeping our patient population safe.
Preparations Underway at Starling:
• Stocking up on the necessary protective equipment
• Monitoring the CDC’s communications
• Working with the medical community including our hospital affiliates, to try to keep care coordinated
• Developing procedures and protocols on where to direct people based on symptoms and risk factors
When to Contact Us / Seek Care:
- Call your doctor’s office immediately if:
- you have a fever, cough, or shortness of breath and you or someone you have been in contact with has been exposed to the coronavirus
- If you are ill and wish to seek care, please call ahead. We want to ensure we can provide safe care for all of our patients. We may need to make special accommodations to limit the spread of the virus.
- If you experience a medical emergency, dial 9-1-1
When to Stay Home:
- Patients with mild viral syndrome symptoms do not need to come to the offices or ERs to be checked for coronavirus, only those with more severe disease. In the absence of high fevers and/ or more significant respiratory symptoms like shortness of breath, staying home with supportive care is recommended.
- Do not go to work, school, or public places if you are ill.
Measures to Stay Safe:
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
- If you cannot access water, use an alcohol-based sanitizer with a 60% alcohol content. We know these can be hard to purchase but are increasingly available for use in stores and public places.
- Disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces with cleaning spray or wipes.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Know the Symptoms:
Coronaviruses cause respiratory illnesses, ranging from common cold symptoms to pneumonia. The virus can spread from person to person. Symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
The elderly, those with cardiac or lung disease, and diabetics are especially at risk of more severe disease.
Where to Find More Information:
To read more about preventing the spread of COVID-19, click here.
If you are planning any travel outside of the U.S., click here for the CDC’s Travelers’ Health webpage for the latest travel and health notices.
Information adapted from the CDC. To read more on the CDC website, click here.
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What You Need to Know About the Coronavirus
March 5, 2020
General background: Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, and they are common sources of infection in humans, generally causing mild disease such as the common cold. This particular variant is new in humans and this novel strain has been named SARS-CoV-2 (not the same as the prior “SARS”). The disease itself is called COVID-19.
Coronaviruses also cause disease in multiple other species. Sometimes these animal viruses can spread to humans, which is currently thought to be the case with this outbreak. MERS and SARS were examples of this.
Method of transmission: The Coronavirus is thought to be spread mainly by person-to-person transmission, which is understood at this time to be by close proximity (6ft or less) and/ or by droplet transmission from coughing or sneezing. It is also possible that one can become infected by touching surfaces or objects containing the virus and then touching one’s mouth, nose, or eyes.
It is currently thought that people are most contagious while symptomatic, but there are reports of persons likely spreading the disease prior to significant symptoms, as well. Certain viruses are spread more easily than others. It is currently thought that the Coronavirus spreads fairly easily, meaning more easily than influenza, although not as easily as highly contagious viruses such as measles. It can sustainably spread in the community.
Quarantine: This is recommended for cases of Coronavirus. Strict guidelines about release from quarantine have not yet been determined. At a minimum, the following criteria should be met:
- free from fever without the use of medication to lower fever (e.g. Tylenol, aspirin, Motrin, etc.)
- no longer symptomatic, including cough-free; and
- test negative on two consecutive respiratory specimens
Current recommendations for post-exposure quarantine is two weeks, which is thought to be the incubation period for this disease based on other coronaviruses.
Symptoms: Illness can vary significantly from nonspecific or mild symptoms to severe illness or death. Some patients have had no symptoms. The mortality rate is not known because the number of cases (the denominator in any calculation) isn’t accurately known. The range is from tenths of a percent up to 2%.
Symptoms can appear 2-14 days after exposure and usually include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Severe cases can progress to severe pneumonia, respiratory failure, and septic shock with mortality. It is not currently understood which segment of the population is at higher risk for severe manifestations.
Treatment: At this point, treatment is purely supportive. There are no currently available vaccines or antivirals for this virus. Clinical trials are underway.
Specific Recommendations at Our Starling facilities:
Notify us if you are at risk: If you believe you are at risk, have been exposed, or have coronavirus symptoms including cough, fever, or shortness of breath, please contact your provider or let our front desk know when you arrive.
Triage:
- For urgent/ sick patients, if you are significantly short of breath with viral syndrome symptoms, you will be directed to the ER, as opposed to an office visit.
- For milder symptoms, if you have a fever and respiratory symptoms, you can be seen but will be instructed on practice appropriate hand/ contact/ droplet hygiene.
- We will ideally ask sick patients to maintain a distance of 6 feet or more from other patients in the waiting area, or be otherwise sequestered. You may be asked to wait in your car and we will communicate by cellphone if significant suspicion exists and the waiting area does not permit sequestration.
Disinfection: Rooms will be carefully wiped with standard disinfectants after visits.
Use of masks: Providers will wear masks with any suspected infection and practice good hand/ contact/ droplet hygiene. Patients with suspicion for Coronavirus or flu will be given a mask, if available, upon entering the clinical space.
Testing for coronavirus: Labs in Connecticut are now fully capable of conducting diagnostic testing for COVID-19.
Click here to know if you are at risk and safety measures you can take.
Click here to learn more about the coronavirus and CDC updates.