COVID-19 FAQ

• Learn More about FAQs associated with the Flu Season

All of our clinical sites have an Infection Prevention and Control team to ensure patient safety. If you have a cough or fever, we will ask you to wear a mask when in one of our facilities to protect both you and others. We will also wear protective equipment when taking care of you so we do not spread infections between patients. Because the virus may survive on surfaces for some time, we wipe down commonly used areas several times a day with disinfectants. Plus, when possible, we ask that you avoid bringing family members to appointments as it increases exposure. We will continue to work with state and local officials to stay up to date on the latest developments.

Please check back regularly for the most up to date information on screening and other questions and thank you for trusting Emory Healthcare for your health care needs.

• Our prior postponement of care visits or procedures for many patients that were not urgent or emergent was necessary to ensure that we had supplies, equipment and staff to take care of the increased numbers of critically ill patients needing urgent care in our facilities due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

• Because effective and continued social distancing has flattened the curve and reduced the number of patients needing hospitalization for COVID-19, we have been able to resume time-sensitive and essential care in coordination with other metro Atlanta health care systems. We have the staff and supplies to allow for surgeries, procedures, and office visits to be performed as needed.

• If your physician has advised you to go ahead at this time with care for your condition at one of our facilities, please know that we are able to deliver that care with extensive safety measures in place. We care about your safety and your health. Choosing to forgo care recommended by your provider can increase your risk of long-term worsened health outcomes.

• Your health and well-being are our top priorities. Decisions to proceed with surgery or procedure/office visit are made on a patient by patient basis and should involve a conversation with your physician.
• Your physician understands your medical condition. If he/she has recommended that you go ahead with care at our facility, your physician would have made this decision after considering benefit, risk, and alternatives. Emory Healthcare has taken many steps to help ensure your safety during this time.

Yes, our Emory Healthcare providers can provide care using telehealth when it is clinically appropriate. They will contact you and assist in coordinating a telehealth visit when appropriate. 

If your healthcare provider has reached out to you about Emory Connected Care, please visit our page to learn more about accessing your virtual appointment. 

• VIEW EMORY CONNECTED CARE

We have adjusted our policies and procedures to ensure we prioritize patient and staff safety. Visitors are permitted only in limited circumstances. You may have a visitor accompany you to your procedure, but they will be asked to leave while you are having your surgery, procedure or office visit. We understand the desire of loved ones to be together during illness or hospitalization, and we are utilizing technology to provide connectivity during hospital stays.

Your physician and nurses will communicate with identified person(s) by phone. Your nurse will coordinate your discharge plans and notify them when it is time to pick you up. If you are admitted to the hospital following your procedure, your care team will maintain communication with one identified person of your choice.

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• We thoroughly clean equipment and exam, procedural and operating rooms between each patient. We also clean common areas like waiting areas, restrooms and elevators frequently, all using products that are known to kill the virus that causes COVID-19.

Every hospital in the country is monitoring its supply chain closely, as there is the potential for shortages.  Many people have asked about providing much-needed supplies. We welcome donations of certain medical supplies.

• Learn How You Can Help

The 2019 novel coronavirus disease is a new type of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, China. The name of this disease is abbreviated as COVID-19. It is part of the family of viruses that cause the common cold and result in a range of flu-like symptoms.  

This virus is spread person-to-person through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. This occurs between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). Droplets from coughing or sneezing can land in your nose or mouth, or on nearby surfaces. The virus can also be spread by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose, or possibly your eyes. Avoid unnecessary contact (e.g. shaking hands) and perform hand hygiene before and after patient contact and after touching potentially contaminated surfaces to prevent spread.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Alcohol-based hand rubs are a quick and effective way to sanitize your hands Avoid close contact with sick people
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Cover your cough or sneeze with disposable tissue
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

“Flatten the curve” refers to the rate of COVID-19 infection over time. Implementing social distancing, stay-at-home orders and other measures can help “flatten the curve” by reducing the number of people who are infected within a specific time period. A slower infection rate also lowers the demand for health care services at any one time and spreads this demand over a longer period of time. The goal is for the need for healthcare services never to exceed the capacity of our healthcare resources.

#FlattenTheCurveGA

• Get the Facts to Help Flatten the Curve

On Oct 5, 2020, the CDC updated their COVID-19 webpage to say that there is growing evidence that COVID-19 infection can occur from airborne exposure to the virus under certain circumstances.

Although most people who are infected by COVID-19 develop mild illness, some patients may be at increased risk for severe illness. Cancer patients who are under active cancer treatment are generally going to be at higher risk for complications of infection with COVID-19, especially patients who have had a recent bone marrow or stem cell transplant and have severely compromised immune systems. Also, older adults and those with medical conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, diabetes, or other chronic medical problems are at higher risk for complications.

The best method of protection is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Patients should stay out of public areas, avoid social gatherings, and avoid close contact with other people. The virus can travel up to 6 feet in respiratory droplets from another person’s sneeze or cough, so they should keep 6 six feet between themselves and others. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends other everyday preventive measures such as vigorous hand-washing. We should counsel our patients to follow all of these recommended precautions. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) offers more information specific to cancer patients and COVID-19.

Vaccine development is underway. Here's what we know so far.

• View COVID-19 Vaccines FAQ

Convalescent plasma is human plasma collected from individuals who have recovered from infection. 

Learn more about the FDA's emergency use authorization for COVID-19

We continue to get new information about symptoms and signs of COVID-19 infection. The most common symptoms are fever, cough, fatigue, body aches, sore throat, and new or worsened congestion, but we are also seeing reports of diarrhea and loss of smell. Less than 10% of patients have more severe symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, new confusion, or inability to arouse.

If you think you have COVID-19, the best thing to do is stay home and isolate yourself. Always call your health care provider before going to the office. Avoid going to an emergency room unless you have any or all of these symptoms:

• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Persistent high fevers
• Worsening symptoms after you initially started to feel better

Your health care provider will determine if you need to be tested. Testing is most important if you have symptoms of a fever or respiratory infection and one of the following:　

• Are sick enough to need to be in a hospital.
• Have risk factors for a more severe infection such as heart, lung, or kidney disease, diabetes or a compromised immune system.
• Work or live in a communal setting (e.g. a hospital, daycare, college dorm, or nursing home).

• Most people who have COVID-19 infection are mildly ill and improve with supportive care like resting and drinking plenty of fluids. Mild symptoms include low-grade fever, cough, and congestion similar to what you might have with the common cold.

• We recommend that you continue to isolate yourself while you have symptoms. You should stay home and should not go to work, spend time in public areas, or take public transportation, use a ride-sharing service or take a taxi.

• You should try to stay in a separate room and use a separate bathroom from anyone else in your house if that is possible. Continue to wash your hands frequently, and cover your cough or sneeze.

• We recommend people stay isolated for at least a week after the onset of their symptoms, or for three days after their fever is gone and symptoms have significantly-improved, whichever one of those is longer.

• If you do develop worsening symptoms such as difficulty breathing, you should call ahead to your doctor's office. They can help direct you to either their office or an emergency department for further evaluation. If you need to go to the doctor or ER, you should wear a mask. If you do not have a mask at home, please request one when you arrive.

• If you are experiencing difficulty breathing, call 911 or go to the closest emergency room. Be sure to let them know of your concern for COVID-19 (coronavirus).

If you are symptomatic, stay home, self-isolate and call the COVID information line at 404-71-COVID (404-712-6843) for guidance. If you are asymptomatic, you may continue to work and should self-monitor for symptoms.

See the following links at the CDC for further info on self-isolation guidance:

• STEPS TO HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 IF YOU ARE SICK
• HOME ISOLATION FOR PERSONS WITH COVID-19

Emory Healthcare Network collaborates with Peachtree Immediate Care and MinuteClinic of CVS Health for urgent and walk-in care. Detailed information about their COVID-19 evaluations and screenings locations can be found on their web sites at: 

• VIEW PEACHTREE IMMEDIATE CARE
• VIEW MINUTECLINIC OF CVS HEALTH

Before your procedure, a representative of Emory Healthcare, working with your provider, will contact you to schedule your COVID screening. If you would like to plan ahead, please call 404-712-6843 and schedule your appointment 48-72 hours before your procedure.

We highly recommend you be tested at an Emory facility or at our urgent care affiliate Peachtree Immediate Care. Kaiser Permanente patients may have testing performed at one of their site, as long as tests are performed within the appropriate time frame outlined above.

If the recommended testing facilities are not an option for you, we will request that you provide the names of one or more potential testing sites near you. The following questions will need to be asked of the testing site to be able to use it.

Results must be faxed to your physician’s office at least 24 hours prior to your procedure. Contact your physician’s office to obtain their fax number.

Your surgery will be cancelled, and we will work with you to reschedule.

Your procedure may be cancelled or rescheduled.

Not at this time, with the exception of colonoscopies, which may be scheduled 96 hours prior to procedure.

At this time, we are only using nasal swabs.

Please bring a proper form of identification, like a driver's license or passport and your insurance card. If patients do not have a proper form of identification, they can confirm the correct address, phone number, date of birth and last 4 digits of their social security number upon arrival.

Please contact your insurance company to determine the costs of the screening. We do not currently charge patients who are considered “self-pay.”

By registering with the Emory Patient Portal, you will be notified of the test results within 48 – 72 business hours of testing. If your results are positive, a RN will contact you by phone call to discuss next the steps in care. If your results are negative, you will receive a message with results and next steps in care via Patient Portal. Those who do not have access to the Patient Portal will receive a phone call.

If you do not have an account, please call 404-727-8820 to register.

Please call our COVID Hotline at 404-712-6843.

Below are links to several resources. We will continue to provide updates as more details become available. 

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 
• Georgia Department of Public Health
• World Health Organization (WHO) 
• Emory University COVID-19 Updates
• Emory Student Health Services
• Oxford Student Health Services
• Emory International Student and Scholar Services
• Emory Office of Critical Event Preparedness and Response

V-Safe After Vaccination Health Checker

V-safe is a smartphone-based tool that uses text messaging and web surveys to provide personalized health check-ins after you receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Through v-safe, you can quickly tell the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) if you have any side effects after getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

• Learn More

All Emory Healthcare employees should refer to our intranet site and their email for current updates.