Your safety and well-being are our top priorities as we continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic.
Drive-Up COVID-19 Testing
Testing is by appointment for our patients and the public — with next-day results. This includes people who have symptoms or were exposed, as well as those who need testing for travel, school or other reasons.
COVID-19 Testing
Appointments and Your Safety
Several safeguards help protect our patients and staff, including universal masking, frequent cleaning, entrance screenings and social distancing in registration and waiting areas. We’ve also increased video visits.
Safety Measures Make an Appointment
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about COVID-19 symptoms and testing, including how to protect yourself or access care. We also address precautions for maternity patients, transplant patients and patients with cancer.
Read FAQs
We Are Prepared
New visitor restrictions are intended to reduce health risks for everyone. We’ve made other changes too, so that we're ready for those who need specialized care for COVID-19.
Visitor Information How We've Prepared
Recent Updates from UC San Diego Health
New exposure notification tool: In partnership with the state of California, UC San Diego Health encourages our patients to use California COVID Notify, a new tool that empowers you to help protect your family and friends by slowing the spread of COVID-19. To learn more, visit
California COVID Notify.
Resources
How You Can Help
Join us in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. With your help, we can continue to keep our community safe and prepare for what is next.
How to Donate
#HealthCareHeroes
Brave and dedicated UC San Diego Health team members are on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. We're sharing their stories — and ways to show your gratitude.
Meet Our Heroes
Symptoms and Diagnosis
COVID-19 is the disease caused by a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that can cause respiratory illnesses, like the common cold and pneumonia. Learn more about
coronaviruses.
Most people infected with the novel coronavirus have mild to moderate cold and flu-like symptoms, including fever, cough, shortness of breath or recent loss of taste or smell. For a complete and updated list, visit the CDC’s COVID-19 symptoms page.
Some people, often those with other medical complications, may develop more severe respiratory illnesses, including pneumonia. Other people could be asymptomatic. This means they are infected with the novel coronavirus, but have no symptoms. These people can still transmit the disease.
The respiratory symptoms of COVID-19 typically appear an average of 5-6 days after exposure, but may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Read more FAQs about coronavirus
Watch more videos about coronavirus