COVID-19 Patient and Visitor Information

Frequently asked questions for visitors (FAQ) can be viewed here.

We encourage everyone who is able to become fully vaccinated to ensure your safety, the safety of others and to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Vaccines are available at no cost and have undergone stringent testing and continue to undergo intense safety monitoring. Click here to find a vaccine near you.

Patient care requires teamwork; our staff works together with family and loved ones to help our patients heal in a safe, comfortable space. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation with these guidelines and helping us maintain a healthy, respectful and restful environment.

Please continue to check our website for updated visitor information.

You may be concerned about news of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and its implications for your health and those of your loved ones. Your safety and well-being are our top priority.

Please know that:

• We are taking all necessary measures and precautions to protect the safety of our patients and staff.
• We specialize in the care of patients with complex illnesses and have experience with managing and containing novel viruses.
• This is a rapidly evolving situation and we suggest you check out the latest updates on the CDC website as well as the website of your state health department.
• Our hospital has adopted and put in place California Crisis Care Continuum Guidelines that, together with our own hospital policies and operational plans, serve as a framework for emergency management planning during this COVID-19 pandemic. You may also download the guidelines here.
• Hospital visitor policies have been updated to reflect national efforts to limit the spread of COVID-19 in the U.S. This policy may change at any time due to the rapidly evolving situation.
  • Patients are allow to have up to two visitors from the same household at the same time, provided physical distancing can be accomplished and visitors comply with hospital visitor guidance.
  • Two visitors or support persons not necessarily from the same household at the same time may visit specific patient groups:
    • Pediatric Patients
    • Labor and Delivery Patients
    • Patients at End-of-Life
    • Patients with Physical, Intellectual, and/or Development Disabilities and Patients Cognitive Impairments
    • Surgery Patients
  • Visitors do not need to be designated in advance by the patients. Unvaccinated visitors returning from international travel should quarantine and not visit the hospital until quarantine is completed; fully vaccinated visitors, however, do not need to quarantine after travel.
  • Each visitor, regardless of their vaccination status, will be screened for fever and COVID-19 symptoms; must wear a face covering upon entry and at all times within the facility; must wear other personal protective equipment (PPE) as appropriate while in the patient’s room; and must physically distance from healthcare personnel and other patients/residents/visitors that are not part of their group at all times while in the facility.
  • Visits between fully vaccinated visitors and fully vaccinated patients may be conducted without face coverings and physical distancing and may include physical contact (e.g., a hug, holding hands) and eating together, while alone in the patient’s room (no other patients, visitors, or health care personnel are present).
• All visitors and support persons must stay in the patient’s room. Visitors and support persons should be screened by the facility upon entry for fever and COVID-19 symptoms, and be asymptomatic for COVID-19 and not be a suspected or recently confirmed case. Visitors and support persons must wear a face covering upon entry and at all times within the facility, and must comply with any health facility instructions on PPE while in the patient’s room. Visitors should maintain physical distancing from other visitors not from the same household as well as from the facility healthcare personnel at all times.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Novel Coronavirus

What is our hospital doing to protect patients?

• We are screening patients with symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath and with a history of travel within the past 14 days to communities with widespread or sustained community transmission of the coronavirus.
• If we have a confirmed or potential patient with COVID-19, we will institute standard infectious disease protocols, as well as additional measures, to prevent the potential spread of the virus. All healthcare providers who have contact with the patient will use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), following U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.

How concerned should I be about the coronavirus?

• As of now, the seasonal flu remains a significant health risk.
• Coronaviruses can cause the common cold and pneumonia. Most people infected with the novel coronavirus have mild cold symptoms. A small fraction of people, however, may require more intensive care. We understand your concern about protecting yourself from respiratory diseases.
• We have launched an online self-checker for the novel coronavirus in the form of a bot nicknamed Robby. Robby walks users through symptoms and then gives recommendations if medical care is needed. Robby is not intended to be used for diagnosis or treatment purposes. Click the blue “Start Self-Check Assessment” button to launch the self-checker:

Start Self-Check Assessment

• Keep informed of the risk by checking the situation update on the CDC website.

What can I do to protect myself?

It is understandable to feel uncertain or anxious during a public health crisis, and we need to remember to avoid making assumptions about others’ perceived symptoms or any characteristics of identity. Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent the novel coronavirus infection. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus.

Here are the current CDC recommendations to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses:

• Take everyday preventive actions for respiratory infections, such as avoiding close contact with people who are sick, staying home when sick, and washing hands often.
• Avoid traveling to places with widespread or sustained community transmission of the coronavirus. A good place for reliable travel information can be found on the CDC’s travel advisory page.

Should I wear a mask?

CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies), especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.

Where can I learn more?

Concerned patients and family members should talk with their healthcare provider.

You can also find more information about the virus from these websites.

• CDC/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (updated daily with advice for public)
• Find the latest on the CDC website as well as the website of your state health department.
• World Health Organization.
• U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.