Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
Frequently Asked Questions:

National and global health agencies are closely monitoring an outbreak of pneumonia caused by the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), first identified in Wuhan City, in the Hubei Province of China.

How do I prevent COVID-19?

According to the CDC, there is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. It is always good practice to employ the following self-care habits to protect your health:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Don’t share drinks or food.

Am I at risk for the COVID-19?

For individuals who have not traveled outside of the United States, currently the risk of acquiring an infection from this virus is low. However, the situation is continuing to evolve and the risk assessment may change daily. The latest updates are available on CDC’s Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) website. If you have a respiratory illness with a fever, cough, or shortness of breath AND have recently traveled internationally or have had close contact with someone who traveled internationally and is now sick, please call your provider. We recommend you stay up to date with local and national public health alerts.

How severe is the illness for confirmed coronavirus disease?

The severity of reported COVID-19 cases ranges from mild to severe. 

Who sets the protocols for testing and treating the virus?

This situation continues to evolve. Currently, the protocols for the assessment, evaluation, diagnostic testing and treatment of COVID-19 are set by national and international health authorities, such as the WHO and the CDC. Institutions like VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital stay alert and on top of these recommendations, and work closely with the local health department and the CDC. We work with Virginia’s public health lab to perform preliminary COVID-19 testing, in partnership with the VDH.

Are there safety concerns for the VCU Health CMH community?

We are closely working with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and are following their screening and response protocols. Again, this situation continues to evolve every day.

I’m sick. How do I know if it is COVID-19?

COVID-19 symptoms can be similar to other respiratory illnesses like the flu. If you are feeling ill and have concerns, please contact your primary care provider.

Where should patients go if they’re concerned they may be infected with the COVID-19?

The first step patients should take if they’re concerned they may have COVID-19 is to call their primary care provider.

What is VCU Health CMH doing to prepare for a possible pandemic?

VCU Health CMH is closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak throughout the world and in the United States. The first cases of COVID-19 in Virginia were reported in early March. For a current case count in Virginia, please visit the Virginia Department of Health. For a current case count globally, please visit the Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 tracker.  VCU Health has the infrastructure and protective equipment to keep all of our patients, visitors, and team members safe.

Since the outbreak, VCU Health CMH has taken action in the following ways to protect our patients, team members, learners and the community from the virus:

• We have created a Coronavirus Team representing all areas of CMH, including Infection Prevention, physicians, emergency medicine, nurses, materials management, emergency management, pharmacy, facilities, EVS, communications, and leadership from the hospital, clinics and post-acute care to monitor and develop a response plan.
• We are in regular communications with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), and the Central Virginia Healthcare Coalition, an emergency preparedness alliance of health care systems across the Central Virginia region. Together, we work on incident coordination and emergency resource management in light of outbreaks or disasters such as influenza or COVID-19.
• Based on best practices, we are in the process of creating appropriate placement of patients in our emergency department and our ambulatory care facilities, and are using screening questions for patients upon arrival to manage their care appropriately.
• We have patient placement and staffing plans in place.

Learn more about coronavirus from the following sources:

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

World Health Organization (WHO)

Virginia Department of Health