Visiting the Hospital

COVID Resources

[X] Close (or Esc)

FAQs

What is the difference between coronavirus and COVID-19

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that cause mild to serious respiratory infections. COVID-19 is the most recently discovered form of coronavirus. This new virus and disease was unknown before the December 2019 outbreak in Wuhan, China.

What are COVID-19 symptoms

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

Fever or chills
Cough
Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
Fatigue
Muscle or body aches
Headache
New loss of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion or runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Diarrhea
Significant loss of appetite

This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.

Talk with your medical provider about other symptoms that are concerning or severe.

How can I protect myself and my family?

Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Keep a distance of about 6 feet.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash.
Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets and sinks.

Who is most at risk for severe cases of COVID-19

Adults age 65 and older
People of any age with underlying medical conditions, such as:
Heart disease
Diabetes
Lung disease
Cancer

What should I do if I think I am sick?

If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.
Stay home except to get medical care. Avoid public areas and do not use public transportation, ride-sharing or taxis.
Call ahead to let the doctor’s office know that you have or may have COVID-19. Wear a facemask before you enter your health provider’s office.
Monitor your symptoms. Seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening (e.g. if you have difficulty breathing).
If you have a medical emergency and need to call 911, notify the dispatch personnel that you have or are being evaluated for COVID-19. If possible, put on a facemask before emergency medical services arrive.
Stay at home, in isolation, until the risk of secondary transmission is thought to be low. The decision to discontinue home isolation precautions should be made in consultation with your healthcare provider and your state and local health departments.
While in home isolation, stay away from other people in your home. Stay in a specific room as much as possible and use a separate bathroom, if available. Limit contact with pets.
Avoid sharing personal items, such as dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people or pets in your home. After using these items, they should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.
Practice routine cleaning of high-touch surfaces, such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and bedside tables.
For more information on steps to take if you become sick with COVID-19, go to the CDC website.

If I get sick, how long will I have COVID-19?

Most mild cases last a few days. Severe cases can last two to three weeks

Is it safe to go to the hospital?

We take every precaution possible to provide a safe environment for any emergency as well as for elective and medically necessary procedures as prescribed by your primary care physician or specialist.
We have implemented our COVID SAFETY standards at all of our facilities, which are a combination of rigorous infection prevention processes, staff training, testing and utilization of personal protective equipment and technology focused on protecting patients and their families as they seek care at our facilities.
With COVID-19, we are taking extra safety measures and following the guidelines of the State Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and our local Infection Control and Prevention Team. If you feel like you are sick, please contact your healthcare provider first to receive next steps. If you suspect you may have COVID-19, please also contact your primary care physician first to receive next steps.

What is the best way to stay informed?

The CDC website features the most current information about the virus.

Play Video

Behind the Mask

- Watch the full video here

Michelle Frazee, an internal medicine nurse at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, shared how they provide compassionate care to COVID-19 patients, especially when patients or their families feel overwhelmed by the situation.
Also detailed are the precautions the hospital follows to help ensure your safety.
Your safe care is our #1 priority.

Watch the full video here

Behind the Mask

"This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page and plays an embedded YouTube video. Pressing the Close Modal button at the bottom of the modal or pressing the Escape key will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.