COVID-19 Telemedicine Clinic

Most people with COVID-19 can recover at home without complications, though individual experiences can vary greatly. Our COVID-19 telemedicine clinic offers virtual consultations and care for patients with multiple risk factors for severe disease.

Our experts will evaluate your symptoms and offer monoclonal antibody infusion treatment as appropriate, which can help reduce hospitalization rates among particularly vulnerable adults (read details). These therapeutics work best if you get treatment as soon as possible, within five to seven days of the onset of symptoms. Because of the recent COVID-19 surge and limited supplies of therapeutics, at this time we are only able to offer care to patients at high risk of hospitalization for COVID-19.

Getting Care Upon Referral

Treatment is offered to individuals who have a positive result from a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or a rapid antigen test performed at a lab or doctor's office — not a home test — for COVID-19 in the past 7 days. 

Our COVID-19 telemedicine services are available upon referral only for patients who get their care at UC San Diego Health and are at high risk for severe disease.

• If you get a COVID-19 PCR test elsewhere, a UC San Diego Health physician can refer you to the telemedicine clinic. We are unable to see people who only got a home test.
• If you were tested at a UC San Diego Health location, you will be referred to this telemedicine clinic for follow-up care.

COVID-19 Telehealth Services

Our services include:

• An initial video visit or telephone consult with an infectious disease specialist to discuss your health status, including underlying chronic health conditions
• Follow-up video visits or telephone consults to monitor your health and recovery
• Referrals to other specialists or inpatient care if your symptoms worsen
• Monoclonal antibody therapy to lessen the severity of your infection — this is offered to patients with highest risk for severe disease; supplies are limited when COVID-19 cases surge
• Medications for symptom relief and treatment of other underlying health conditions
• Daily phone calls from a triage nurse if requested
• Support for anxiety associated with your COVID-19 diagnosis
• A potential opportunity to participate in clinical trials and research studies related to COVID-19

Benefits of Our Telemedicine Clinic

Since the pandemic began, we have conducted more than 1,000 video visits for people with COVID-19. We have the experience and expertise to help you, too. We offer:

• Consults and care directed by an infectious disease team
• Daily nurse calls if requested
  
• Spanish-speaking physician assistant and translator services
• Education to help you prevent the spread of COVID-19 to other household members
• Convenience
  

COVID-19 Testing and Symptoms

If you're a UC San Diego Health patient who is experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus or think you have COVID-19, we recommend you talk to your primary care physician, call us at 800-926-8273 or visit an Urgent Care or Express Care clinic. Depending on your situation, we can identify the best course of action, including whether you should get tested. For more information, see COVID-19 Testing.

Symptoms of SARS-CoV-2, a novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, include fever, new cough, new shortness of breath or a recent loss of taste or smell.

Coronavirus Clinical Trials

UC San Diego Health leads the region's efforts to prevent COVID-19 and improve people's outcomes. We are: