CLEVELAND, March 20 – The following information was provided by Cleveland Clinic.
Following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this document has been updated as of March 20, 2020. For the latest information about COVID-19 including how it spreads, prevention and treatment, and symptoms, visit the CDC’s website.
COVID-19 basics
Q: What is COVID-19?
A: COVID-19 is a virus strain, first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, that has only spread in people since December 2019.
Health experts are closely monitoring the situation because little is known about this new virus and it has the potential to cause severe illness and pneumonia in some people.
Q: How does COVID-19 spread and what are the symptoms?
A: COVID-19 is primarily spread through respiratory droplets. That means to become infected, you generally must be within six feet of someone who is contagious and come into contact with these droplets. It may be possible to get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, Symptoms of COVID-19 appear within two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
Q: How long does it take for symptoms of the COVID-19 to appear?
A: The CDC believes that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as two days, or as long as 14 days after exposure.
Q: How is COVID-19 treated?
A: There is currently no FDA approved medication for COVID-19. People infected with this virus should receive supportive care such as rest, fluids and fever control, to help relieve symptoms. For severe cases, treatment should include care to support vital organ functions.
Prevention
Q: Is there a vaccine?
A: Currently, there is no vaccine available.
Q: How can I best protect myself?
A: Practice the following:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15-20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact (within 6 feet) with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Standard household cleansers and wipes are effective in cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- It’s currently flu and respiratory disease season and CDC recommends getting vaccinated, taking everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs, and taking flu antivirals if prescribed.
Q: Should I wear a face mask? Will that help protect me?
A: If you are sick: You should wear a face mask when you are around other people (like sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a face mask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a face mask if they enter your room.
If you are not sick: You do not need to wear a face mask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a face mask). Face masks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.
Access, visitor restrictions at Cleveland Clinic
Q: I have an appointment at Cleveland Clinic and I am concerned about COVID-19. Should I cancel my appointment?
A: We are taking necessary precautions on behalf of our patients, visitors and caregivers.
At this time our primary care providers are reviewing patient records and encouraging all of our Ohio patients with non-essential primary care appointments scheduled to take place in the next few weeks to consider rescheduling for three months out.
For appointments that cannot be postponed, options will include Cleveland Clinic Express Care® Online, phone and MyChart visits, with in-person appointments being a back-up option.
For patients who require a physical exam, in-person appointments will remain as scheduled. We are closely monitoring this evolving situation and our clinicians are meeting regularly to continue to prepare.
If you have a fever, cough or shortness of breath, or are otherwise concerned you have COVID-19, we ask that you do not come to any Cleveland Clinic facility without calling your primary care physician or speaking to a provider using a virtual visit using Cleveland Clinic Express Care® Online. Patients will then be evaluated to determine if they require being seen in person or if they meet CDC guidelines for testing for COVID-19 based on symptoms, travel and exposures. If a patient meets criteria for testing, their Express Care Online provider or primary care physician will advise how to proceed with testing.
Q: Can I bring someone with me to my scheduled appointment?
A: For Ohio locations:
• At this time, no guests or visitors are permitted to accompany adult patients, unless special assistance is required.
• Pediatric patients, elderly patients and those with special needs are permitted to bring no more than one guest. No more than two guests will be permitted per family or group.
• Visitors who are sick, have a fever, or a confirmed case of COVID-19 should not visit or accompany a patient.
• Visitors must wash their hands (or use sanitizer) before and after entering clinical areas and waiting rooms.
Q: I have a surgery scheduled at Cleveland Clinic, will it be canceled?
A: The Ohio Governor’s office, in collaboration with the Ohio Hospital Association, announced new guidelines on postponing non-essential surgeries, a related procedures, for adult and pediatric patients.
Cleveland Clinic will use these guidelines to determine which procedures and surgeries should be postponed.
Patients who have non-essential procedures scheduled between Thursday, March 19 and Friday, March 27 will be contacted by Cleveland Clinic.
Q: How have visiting hours changed at Cleveland Clinic because of COVID-19?
A: Ohio: For all locations, we are restricting all visitors. Exceptions will be made for the following patients:
- Pediatric patients (1 visitor)
- Labor & Delivery patients (1 visitor)
- End-of-life cicumstances (patient’s care team will discuss with their family)
Outpatient visitor precautions:
- At this time, no guests or visitors are permitted to accompany adult patients, unless special assistance is required.
- Pediatric patients, elderly patients and those with special needs are permitted to bring no more than one guest. No more than two guests will be permitted per family or group.
- Visitors who are sick, have a fever, or a confirmed case of COVID-19 should not visit or accompany a patient.
- Visitors must wash their hands (or use sanitizer) before and after entering clinical areas and waiting rooms.
Q: I have an appointment at Cleveland Clinic. What do I need to bring?
A:When entering any Cleveland Clinic facility, have your appointment reminder from email, MyChart or text message to show.
On-site testing for Ohio Cleveland Clinic locations
Q: Is there an online screening tool available?
A: Yes. Cleveland Clinic launched a free COVID-19 screening tool to find out your risk level based on symptoms and travel.
Follow these steps:
- Visit ClevelandClinic.org…
- Click “Start your screening now”
- A questionnaire window will open
- Answer questions to receive your recommendations
Q: What patients are being prioritized for testing?
A: COVID-19 testing will focus on high-risk patients. These are symptomatic patients who also have one of the following criteria:
- Patients 61 and older
- Patients under 36 months
- On immunosuppressive therapy
- Cancer
- End-stage renal disease and are on dialysis
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Coronary artery disease
- Heart failure reduced ejection fraction
- Lung disease
- Contact with a known COVID-19 patient
- HIV/AIDS
- Solid organ transplants
These patients will continue to be tested at the W.O. Walker testing facility with a Cleveland Clinic physician’s order.
Q: What if I am not a high-risk patient and need to receive testing?
A: For patients 60 and under who already have a Cleveland Clinic physician’s order, we are re-evaluating our ability to provide COVID-19 testing and are asking they not report to the W.O. Walker testing facility until they are contacted by Cleveland Clinic with further instructions. We are advising patients with a fever higher than 100.4 degrees F and/or cough to isolate themselves from others. If your medical condition worsens, contact your primary care provider or go to the emergency department.
Q: If I’m a candidate for testing, where should I go?
A: On-site drive-through testing for COVID-19 is located in the garage of the W.O. Walker Building at 10524 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio. Testing is open 11 a.m.-7 p.m., seven days a week.
Note: A Cleveland Clinic electronic provider’s order is required for COVID-19 testing.
Q: How long will results from a COVID-19 test take?
A: Cleveland Clinic’s on-site testing should yield results within one day and testing results will be automatically released through MyChart within five days.
Q: What do I do if I have flu-like symptoms and think I have been exposed to COVID-19?
A: Based on your symptoms, do the following:
- If you’re concerned you have COVID-19, we recommend you start with a virtual visit using Cleveland Clinic Express Care® Online, an eVisit questionnaire in MyChart*, or call or message your primary care physician. You will be advised what to do next.
- Call ahead before going in person to any Cleveland Clinic location.
- If you have chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, a severe headache or other potentially life-threatening problems, go to the nearest emergency department or call 911.
- For questions, Call Ohio Department of Health’s 24/7 hotline at 833.4.ASK.ODH.
- Cleveland Clinic patients call 855.697.3750.* For eVisits: Patients must be a current MyChart user and in the state of Ohio. After completing a questionnaire, Cleveland Clinic providers will review your submitted answers and evaluate your illness. If the provider suspects you may be infected with COVID-19, they will determine the most appropriate place to send you for testing, ensure you get the right care and minimize spread.
Q: Who is screening patients?
A: We are following CDC recommendations on screening for travel from high-risk countries. As part of the intake process, travel questions have been added to outpatient visits. Travel screenings are part of the standard process for inpatients.
Screening is occurring in the following ways:
- Travel screening is now performed at check-in, registration and during scheduling.
- It has also been added to the outpatient rooming and inpatient admissions workflows.
- Clinicians in Emergency Departments, labor and delivery and surgical areas will continue to complete travel screenings as a part of their standard workflows.
- These questions are also asked at check-in kiosks and through MyChart’s pre-check-in feature.
- In our intensive care units for patients with severe lower respiratory infections.
Preparedness
Q: Is Cleveland Clinic concerned about shortages of any medical supplies or medications?
A: As of March 19 at 11 a.m., we have adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
We also have a supply of testing swabs on hand. However, we did not anticipate the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on Italy, where the swabs are manufactured. We hope to continue to receive additional testing supplies, which will be a key part of our decision-making in the future.
Cleveland Clinic is following Ohio guidelines to postpone non-essential surgeries and procedures. This supports statewide efforts to conserve hospital beds, equipment and supplies.
Q: Where can I find more information from Cleveland Clinic?
A: The latest information on COVID-19 can be found on the CDC’s website and at ClevelandClinic.org….
Q: Is there a hotline I can call for more information on COVID-19?
A: Cleveland Clinic has a dedicated, 24/7 COVID-19 hotline to answer your questions at 855-697-3750. The Ohio Department of Health also has set up a COVID-19 hotline (1-833-4-ASK-ODH) for those with questions or concerns.
Travel
For the latest information on travel information, alerts and warnings, visit the CDC’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 Information for Travel website.
Q: What if my family member traveled from a country or had a layover in a country with widespread or sustained transmission in the last 14 days?
A: If your family member traveled from or had a layover in a CDC-designated high-risk country in the last 14 days and feels sick with fever, cough or has difficulty breathing, visit Cleveland Clinic Express Care® Online or call or message your primary care physician.
Your family member should:
- Seek medical care right away. Before they go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about their recent travel and symptoms.
- Avoid contact with others.
- Not travel while sick.
- They should cover their mouth and nose with a tissue or their sleeve (not their hands) when coughing or sneezing.
- Wash hands often with soap and water for 15-20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.
Q: Should I travel internationally?
A: CDC provides recommendations on postponing or canceling travel. These are called travel notices and are based on assessment of the potential health risks involved with traveling to a certain area. A list of destinations with travel notices is available at www.cdc.gov…
Additional state and national resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Ohio Department of Health
Additional global resources:
World Health Organization
Government of Canada
Ontario – Ministry of Health
Public Health England
This document was was provided by Cleveland Clinic. Following guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this document has been updated as of March 20, 2020. For the latest information about COVID-19 including how it spreads, prevention and treatment, and symptoms, visit the CDC’s website.
