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COVID-19 BasicsQ: 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, which means to become infected, people generally must be within six feet of someone who is contagious and come into contact with these droplets. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. Symptoms of COVID-19 appear within two to 14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, runny nose and difficulty breathing.Q: How long does it take for symptoms of the COVID-19 to appear?A: CDC believes that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as two days, or as long as 14 days after exposure. To be cautious, many governments are requiring an isolation period of 14 days for people returning from endemic areasQ: 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.PreventionQ: 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% 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 facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (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 facemask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are sick.If you are not sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.Access and Visitor Restrictions in Ohio LocationsQ: 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: What restrictions are in place for visitors going to Cleveland Clinic facilities?A: For all Ohio locations and Cleveland Clinic Martin Health please use the following guidance:If you’re sick, have a fever or a confirmed case of COVID-19, do not visit or accompany a patient.Patients may only have up to 2 people with them at any time.Visitors must be at least 16 years old.Visitors can speak with a caregiver about exceptions and special circumstances.No visitors allowed from 10 p.m. – 8 a.m., unless a parent or guardian of a pediatric patient, or accompanying a newly admitted patient.Visitors must wash their hands (or use sanitizer) before and after leaving rooms and hospital buildings.For Cleveland Clinic Weston:Visitor check-in is from 8 am – 12 pm and 3 pm – 7 pm. No visitors will be allowed outside those hours.Visiting hours will end at 11 pm for all visitors.Q: I have an appointment at Cleveland Clinic. What do I need to bring?A:When entering any Cleveland Clinic facility, please have your appointment reminder from email, MyChart or text message to show.On-Site Testing for Ohio LocationsQ: Who should undergo COVID-19 testing?A: Only patients who meet current CDC criteria for COVID-19 testing will be tested.Q: What do I need in order to get tested for COVID-19?A: A Cleveland Clinic provider’s order is required for all 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 3-5 days.Q: What are Cleveland Clinic’s plans for testing?A: In the coming days Cleveland Clinic will establish outpatient testing locations requiring a Cleveland Clinic provider’s order to receive COVID-19 testing.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– 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.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.PreparednessQ: How is Cleveland Clinic preparing for COVID-19?A: We are preparing should the need arise, following CDC and World Health Organization’s recommendations and protocols.We are closely monitoring this evolving situation and our clinicians are meeting regularly to continue to prepare. We are following CDC guidance.Q: Is Cleveland Clinic concerned about shortages of any medical supplies or medications?A: Currently, we have adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). It’s important that we remain good stewards of our available resources available over PPE over an extended period of time.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.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.TravelFor the latest information on travel information, alerts and warnings, please 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% 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.Q: What if I must travel for personal reasons?A: If you must travel for person reasons, practice the following precautions:Avoid contact with people who are sick.Avoid animals (alive or dead), animal markets and products that come from animals (such as uncooked meat).Wash hands often with soap and water for 15-20 seconds. Use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.Older adults and travelers with underlying health issues may be at risk for more severe disease.