COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) Information

• Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause respiratory illnesses, like the common cold and pneumonia. COVID-19 is the disease caused by a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2.
• Most people infected with the novel coronavirus have mild to moderate cold and flu-like symptoms. But some people, usually those with other medical complications, may develop more severe symptoms, including pneumonia.
• The respiratory symptoms of COVID-19 – fever, new cough, new shortness of breath, and/or a persistent scratchy throat – appear an average of 5-6 days after exposure, but may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Video: COVID-19 - What You Should Know About Novel Coronavirus

COVID-19 appears to spread like other respiratory viruses from person to person. The principal mode of transmission occurs mainly via respiratory droplets that travel up to 6 feet in the air after an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can be inhaled by people who are nearby or be moved to the eyes, nose or mouth by contaminated hands.

Close contact with an infectious person – such as shaking hands or touching a doorknob, tabletop or other surfaces touched by an infectious person, and then touching your nose, eyes or mouth – can also transmit the virus.

COVID-19 Nurse Line: 800-926-8273

If you have fever or respiratory symptoms, or think you might have COVID-19: Call our nurse line to discuss your symptoms BEFORE coming to any of our hospitals or clinics. A nurse will ask questions to evaluate your potential risk for COVID-19 infection. Do NOT walk in without an appointment or use online appointment scheduling. Learn about the next steps after being evaluated by a nurse.

Video: Are My Symptoms Related to COVID-19?

Our hospitals and clinics have infection-prevention protocols and systems in place to keep all patients, visitors and health care workers safe at all times, including during an outbreak of a disease. You should feel confident in accessing services. For everyone’s safety, we are taking strict precautions by screening patients, team members and visitors at our entrances. In addition:

• If you have an upcoming appointment and have symptoms including fever, new cough, new shortness of breath, and/or a persistent scratchy throat, or if you fear that you have been exposed to COVID-19, please call our COVID-19 nurse phone line, 800-926-8273, to discuss your symptoms BEFORE coming to your scheduled appointment. If you have these symptoms and arrive to see a specialist or for a procedure without calling first, we will give you a mask and may ask you to reschedule your appointment.
• Our physicians and care teams may postpone or reschedule routine and elective procedures/surgeries and will review schedules daily to identify the best approach for each patient. Some patients may be contacted by our team to review whether their appointments are essential at this time. Appointments, surgeries, and procedures are considered essential if postponing them would negatively impact the patient’s health outcome. This decision is made by the primary physician directing the patient's care.
• Our physicians and care teams will also be reviewing our schedules to see what visits may be appropriate to convert to MyUCSDChart video visits. We will make every effort to ensure this is a smooth and easy experience for you to follow.

We are experienced in taking care of individuals with complex illnesses or an infectious disease like COVID-19 – we do it every single day. Our teams are trained and equipped to treat patients with symptoms of novel coronavirus and any others who have a potentially contagious disease – and we're closely monitoring developments. We have also taken these steps to protect your safety:

• Visitation in hospitals or clinics is currently restricted with limited exceptions. All visitors will go through a health screening for fever and respiratory symptoms. Please see our visitor policy for the latest updates.
• If we have a confirmed or potential patient with COVID-19, we institute standard infectious disease protocols, as well as additional measures, to prevent the potential spread of the virus. All health care providers who have contact with the patient use appropriate protective equipment, following CDC guidelines to keep our community safe.

Yes, we are testing people who meet certain conditions. Our ability to test patients is improving, but testing remains limited so we cannot test all individuals. Your health care provider will determine if you meet the criteria for testing.

If you have no symptoms, you don't need to be tested.

People who are experiencing only mild symptoms and have not been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or traveled to one of the countries where infection has spread, do not need to be tested at this time.

Most patients with confirmed COVID-19 develop fever and a cough or shortness of breath. We are currently prioritizing testing for the following people:

• Hospitalized patients who have signs and symptoms compatible with COVID-19
• People with symptoms and who have had close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis within 14 days of symptom onset, or who traveled from affected geographic areas within 14 days of their symptom onset.
• People with symptoms in high-risk categories, including those ages 65 and older, those with chronic medical conditions, and those receiving immunosuppressive medications
• Health care workers with symptoms of an acute viral respiratory infection

It is understandable to feel uncertain or anxious during a public health crisis, and we need to remember to avoid making assumptions about others' perceived symptoms or any characteristics of identity. Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent the novel coronavirus infection. The best way to prevent infection is to take precautionary steps.

Here are CDC recommendations to take everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses:

• Practice social distancing.
• Avoid crowded places and close contact with sick people.
• Stay home when you’re sick.
• Try not to touch your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water (for 20 seconds) or hand sanitizer.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, like keyboards, phones, remote controls and door handles, and thoroughly wash glasses and utensils.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze — or use the crook of your arm — and throw the tissue in the trash. Then wash your hands with soap and water.
• Get a flu shot.
• Don’t travel to places with widespread or sustained community transmission of the coronavirus. Reliable travel information can be found on the CDC's travel advisory page.
• Practice healthy habits: Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.

The CDC does not recommend the use of face masks for the general U.S. public to protect themselves from respiratory viruses, including the novel coronavirus.

The best way to protect your health is by practicing preventive measures listed above and getting a flu shot to help prevent illness and symptoms similar to the novel coronavirus.

If you have questions about an upcoming appointment, please call your provider’s office.

If you have general questions about UC San Diego Health and the coronavirus, please call our Patient Experience team at 619-543-5678.

You can also find more information about COVID-19 from these websites:

• CDC / Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (updated daily with advice for public)
• California Department of Public Health
• U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• University of California system
• World Health Organization