Frequently Asked Questions

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a virus strain, primarily spread through respiratory droplets. That means to become infected, you generally must be within six feet of someone who is contagious and come into contact with these droplets. It may be possible to get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose, or possibly your eyes. People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.

Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear two to 14 days after exposure and include:

Fever or chills.

Cough.

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

Muscle or body aches.

Headache.

New loss of taste or smell.

Sore throat.

Congestion or runny nose.

Nausea or vomiting.

Diarrhea.

This list does not include all possible symptoms. Children have similar symptoms to adults and generally have mild illness.

Prevention

How can I best protect myself?

Practice the following:

Wear a face mask to protect yourself and others when you’re out in public.

Practice social distancing. Maintain a 6-foot distance from other people. Avoid crowds and groups of people.

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.

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.

I have a chronic condition that puts me at high risk. How can I best protect myself?

Unfortunately, there is not yet a vaccine that can prevent COVID-19, so we cannot prevent the disease.

The coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is new, so we are just learning how it impacts specific groups of high-risk people. But, those who are thought to be most susceptible to serious complications of COVID-19 include people who:

Are over age 65.

Have cancer.

Have hypertension.

Have lung disease.

Have diabetes.

Have heart disease.

Have another condition that compromises the immune system.

Are taking medications that suppress the immune system.

But there are things you can do to minimize your risk if you have a weakened immune system or are immunocompromised.

Are certain racial or ethnic groups at a higher risk of developing severe illness with COVID-19?

African Americans are more likely to acquire and die from complications of the COVID-19 virus because Blacks suffer from higher rates of chronic medical conditions like diabetes and obesity, high blood pressure, heart and kidney disease and asthma. All of these lower the immune system and the ability to fight off viruses. Additionally, lifestyle factors like being an essential worker and even using public transportation increase the risk of getting COVID-19.

Appointments & Access

I have an appointment at Cleveland Clinic and I am concerned about COVID-19. What safety measures are in place to protect me?

The safety of our patients and caregivers remains our top priority. We want to assure patients that our Cleveland Clinic facilities are safe for them to receive care.

We have taken steps to increase safety by:

Limiting visitors to our facilities.

Screening everyone for potential COVID-19 symptoms.

Providing essential personal protective equipment (PPE) for caregivers.

Practicing physical distancing.

Expanding testing capabilities.

Continuing to clean and disinfect surfaces frequently.

Requiring our caregivers to wear face shields and masks in clinical areas.

Requiring permitted visitors to wear masks at all times while inside our facilities, unless they have a health or behavioral condition that prevents them from wearing one.

Requiring patients to wear a mask for all routine appointments and procedures (without a hospital stay), and in the Emgergency Department, unless they have a health or behavioral condition that prevents them from wearing one.

Strongly encouraging hospitalized patients to wear a mask inside our facilities.

What are Cleveland Clinic’s mask guidelines?

As we learn more about COVID-19 and its transmission, we are adapting our practices in order to provide the safest care to our patients and protect our caregivers. In alignment with guidelines from the CDC and direction from our state and local governments, are requiring all caregivers in all our locations to wear face masks while inside our facilities.

Face masks are required for patients at all routine appointments and procedures (without a hospital stay), Emergency Department patients and for permitted visitors. Face masks are strongly encouraged for patients admitted to the hospital and Emergency Department patients, unless they have a health or behavioral condition that prevents them from wearing one. Patients and permitted visitors will be given a mask to wear the entire time they are in our facilities. They may choose to bring their own masks from home. Wearing a mask is not only an effort to protect yourself, but also to help protect others.

I have an appointment at Cleveland Clinic. What do I need to bring?

Please bring your appointment reminder with you (email, MyChart or text message). When entering any Cleveland Clinic location, you and any permitted visitors (see visitor restrictions) will be screened for potential COVID-19 symptoms, including a temperature scan. In some locations, we use no-contact, hand-held thermal scanners. In other places, we use a thermal imaging system you walk through and might not even notice. You’ll be asked to sanitize your hands.

For a routine appointment or procedure (without a hospital stay), and Emergency Department visits, patients are required to wear a mask while inside our facilities, unless they have a health or behavioral condition that prevents them from wearing one. Patients admitted to the hospital are strongly encouraged to wear a mask while inside our Ohio and Florida facilities. Masks from home may be worn, or masks will be provided at entrances.

I have an appointment or procedure scheduled at Cleveland Clinic’s main campus. Are food options and transportation services still available? Am I able to enter the hospital through any entrance?

Yes. Our dining and transportation services are taking great lengths to ensure patients can still use them safely and easily, including expanded cleaning and safety procedures, masks for all Cleveland Clinic employees and ensuring patients and visitors are practicing social and physical distancing. Currently, we do have limited hours and options at some of our main campus eateries. Additionally, we’ve also limited the number of entrances into the hospital in an effort to protect patients, permitted visitors, caregivers and the community.

Are all Cleveland Clinic emergency departments open?

Yes, all Cleveland Clinic emergency departments remain open for care. We encourage the public to seek immediate medical attention for symptoms that suggest serious medical emergencies, such as stroke or heart attack. All patients coming to our emergency departments are screened for COVID-19 symptoms and are required to wear a mask, unless they have a health or behavioral condition that prevents them from wearing one. This is to help maintain the health and safety of our patients and caregivers and prevent the spread of the virus. Any patients with COVID-19 symptoms are taken to a designated area within the emergency department for care.

Visitor Guidelines

We’re using four new, statewide visitation levels — yellow, orange, red and purple — to protect our patients and caregivers and limit the spread of COVID-19. The visitation levels are based on data about how COVID-19 is spreading, including state and county public health information. If you are visiting a COVID-19 positive patient, you must wear provided personal protective equipment (PPE). Even when you can’t visit in person, we encourage you to stay connected virtually.

These guidelines are being put in place for the safety of our patients, caregivers and community. Thank you for your understanding.

Please note: All visitors must wear a mask, have their temperature taken and sanitize their hands. Visitation guidelines are subject to change if safe physical distancing isn’t possible.

LEVEL YELLOW COVID-19 POSITIVE

patients (PPE provided) COVID-19 NEGATIVE patients All patients Must be 18 or older Normal (open visitation)

Please note: Patients must follow all social distancing and masking guidelines.

LEVEL ORANGE COVID-19 POSITIVE

patients (PPE provided) COVID-19 NEGATIVE patients ADULT PATIENTS

Hospitalized patients No visitors One designated visitor*

Appointments and procedures (without a hospital stay) No visitors One designated visitor*

Emergency department No visitors One designated visitor*

Prenatal appointments No visitors One designated visitor*

Labor and delivery One visitor during labor One designated visitor* PEDIATRIC PATIENTS

Appointments, procedures and hospitalizations One parent or guardian Two parents or guardians

Emergency department One parent or guardian Two parents or guardians

Please note: A patient's care team may make compassionate exceptions, when appropriate.

*Patients may choose one individual (18 or older) to be their designated visitor. That designated visitor may visit each day during the patient’s hospital stay.

LEVEL RED COVID-19 POSITIVE

patients (PPE provided) COVID-19 NEGATIVE patients ADULT PATIENTS

Hospitalized patients No visitors One designated visitor*

Appointments and procedures (without a hospital stay) No visitors No visitors, unless: Special assistance** is required

Patient will be under sedation

Provider has asked the patient to bring a responsible adult

Emergency department No visitors One visitor

Prenatal appointments No visitors One visitor during fetal ultrasounds

Labor and delivery One visitor during labor One designated visitor* PEDIATRIC PATIENTS

Appointments, procedures and hospitalizations One parent or guardian Two parents or guardians

Emergency department One parent or guardian One parent or guardian

Please note: A patient's care team may make compassionate exceptions, when appropriate.

*Patients may choose one individual (18 or older) to be their designated visitor. That designated visitor may visit each day during the patient’s hospital stay.

**Special assistance is any circumstance where a patient’s care team determines that a visitor is critical to physical or emotional care.

LEVEL PURPLE COVID-19 POSITIVE

patients (PPE provided) COVID-19 NEGATIVE patients ADULT PATIENTS

Hospitalized patients No visitors One single visit from one individual during the entire hospital stay (not daily visits)

Appointments and procedures (without a hospital stay) No visitors No visitors, unless: Special assistance* is required

Provider has asked the patient to bring a responsible adult

Emergency department No visitors No visitors, unless special assistance is required

Prenatal appointments No visitors No visitors

Labor and delivery One visitor during labor One visitor during labor PEDIATRIC PATIENTS

Appointments, procedures and hospitalizations One parent or guardian One parent or guardian

Emergency department One parent or guardian One parent or guardian

Please note: A patient's care team may make compassionate exceptions, when appropriate.

*Special assistance is any circumstance where a patient’s care team determines that a visitor is critical to physical or emotional care.

Visitor Guidelines for Locations Other Than Ohio and Florida:

For All Permitted Visitors:

Anyone who is sick, has a fever, or has tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 28 days a confirmed case of COVID-19 should not visit or accompany a patient.

Visitors must be over 18 and be fever- and symptom-free.

All visitors to patients with COVID-19 must wear personal protective equipment (PPE).

Permitted visitors are required to wear a mask at all times while inside our facilities, unless they have a health or behavioral condition that prevents them from wearing one. Visitors may bring their own mask from home, or masks will be provided to them upon entering our facilities. Visitors to patients with COVID-19 must wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Visitors to hospital settings will not be permitted to enter our facilities between 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. unless a compassionate exception applies.

Designated visitors must show a photo ID at the entrance to verify identity.

Upon entering our facilities, visitors will continue to be thermal screened, required to wear a mask, asked screening questions upon entry into Ohio locations and asked to sanitize their hands before and after entering clinical areas and waiting rooms.

To help maintain physical distancing, visitors must limit the number of items they bring when visiting a patient at our facilities.

Testing

What patients are being prioritized for drive-up and on-site testing?

Cleveland Clinic is providing drive-up and on-site testing for patients suspected of having COVID-19. Patients will need to be evaluated by a clinician using Cleveland Clinic Express Care Online or in-person, and will need a Cleveland Clinic electronic doctor’s order to be tested.

I have a scheduled surgery or procedure and was told I need a COVID-19 test before my appointment. Why do I need a test when I’m not showing any symptoms?

One way we maintain a safe environment for our patients and caregivers is by requiring patients to undergo COVID-19 testing within three days prior to any surgery or procedure in a Cleveland Clinic operating room, ambulatory surgery center and select locations.

Recently published data in The Lancet supports our pre-operative testing requirement. The study found that asymptomatic patients with COVID-19 were at higher risk of post-operative complications. By requiring patients to complete pre-operative testing, we help protect our patients and caregivers.

How do I get a COVID-19 test if required pre-surgery?

All patients with scheduled surgeries or procedures taking place in a Cleveland Clinic ambulatory surgery center or operating room will be tested for COVID-19 within three days, or 72 hours, prior to their surgery or procedure date. When a surgery or procedure is scheduled, a COVID-19 test will also be ordered.

We have several testing locations, throughout Northeast Ohio and Florida, designated for patients who have an upcoming surgery or procedure. An appointment for the COVID-19 test will be scheduled at a location and time most convenient for the patient.

Can I get a COVID-19 test at another, non-Cleveland Clinic location for my surgery or procedure?

Yes, outside testing is accepted but all patients must have written documentation of their test and results that adhere to the three-day, or 72-hour, testing window.

What steps should I take between the day of my test and my scheduled surgery or procedure to prevent being infected with COVID-19?

Following testing for COVID-19, we suggest patients isolate themselves at home. We recommend patients limit contact with other household members. When this is not possible, please maintain appropriate safety measures including:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15-20 seconds. If soap and water aren’t available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Practice social and physical distancing by staying 6 feet away from others.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public, especially in places where it’s hard to maintain at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and another person. Cloth face masks are being recommended because we now know individuals with COVID-19 could have mild or no symptoms, while still spreading the virus to others. Wearing a cloth mask doesn’t replace the need for physical distancing.

Use standard household cleansers and wipes to effectively clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

How long will results from a COVID-19 test take?

For patients in the hospital, and those tested in our Emergency Departments who are considered very ill or at risk, results are available within 24 hours (on average).

For patients being tested at our drive-thru facility or a pre-surgical testing location, results are available on average within a few days. Patients are asked to remain at home until their test results are released. Once processed, COVID-19 test results are now available immediately in a patient’s MyChart, our secure online health management tool.



A Cleveland Clinic caregiver will ask you to roll down your window and tilt your head back slightly, so they can swab the back of your nose and throat.

Ohio Testing Sites

Cleveland Clinic is providing drive-up COVID-19 testing for patients in Ohio with a Cleveland Clinic electronic doctor’s order.

Drive-Up and On-Site Testing Locations

On-site testing is located in the garage of the W.O. Walker Building at Cleveland Clinic's main campus, at Akron General Akron Health Center and at Cleveland Clinic's Akron General Health and Wellness Center in Green.

Please Note: A Cleveland Clinic electronic provider’s order is required for COVID-19 testing.

Directions and Hours for Drive-Up and On-Site Testing Locations

W.O. Walker Building

10524 Euclid Ave.

Cleveland, OH 44195

Patients should enter the garage from E. 105th St.

Testing hours:

Daily, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Akron General Akron Health Center

676 South Broadway St.

Akron , Ohio 44311

Testing hours:

Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Akron General Health and Wellness Center, Green

1940 Town Park Blvd.

Uniontown, OH 44685

Testing hours:

Monday - Wednesday (Closed Thursdays); Friday - Sunday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Florida Testing Sites

Cleveland Clinic is providing drive-up and on-site COVID-19 testing for patients in Florida. Patients who meet criteria for COVID-19 testing will be given an appointment and directed to the testing location. Individuals must have an appointment in order to be tested.

At Cleveland Clinic Weston, anyone over the age of 16 who has COVID-19 symptoms, as defined by the CDC, is eligible for testing.

At Cleveland Clinic Martin Health and Cleveland Clinic Indian River, anyone over the age of 5 who has COVID-19 symptoms, as defined by the CDC, is eligible for testing.

Drive-Up and On-Site Testing Locations

Drive-up or on-site testing is located at the Weston Hospital at Cleveland Clinic Florida's main campus in Weston, Martin North Hospital in Stuart, Tradition Hospital in Port St. Lucie and Indian River Hospital in Vero Beach.

Please Note: An appointment from Cleveland Clinic Florida is required for COVID-19 testing.

What is the process for getting tested?

Only patients with an appointment will be seen at the drive-up or on-site testing locations. Patients should start by calling our nurse triage hotline to schedule their appointment for testing:

954.659.5951 - Cleveland Clinic Weston Hospital (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

772.419.3360 - Martin Health (Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday - Sunday, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.)

772.226.4846 - Indian River Hospital (Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.)

The caller will be screened by a nurse who will determine if they meet criteria for testing.

Directions and Hours for Drive-Up and On-Site Testing Locations

Weston Hospital

First Floor

2950 Cleveland Clinic Blvd.

Weston, Florida 33331

Testing Hours:

Monday, Tuesday, Friday, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Wednesday – Thursday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Saturday – Sunday, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Martin North Hospital

200 SE Hospital Ave.

Stuart, Florida 34994

Testing Hours:

Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Saturday – Sunday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Martin Health at St. Lucie West

1095 NW St. Lucie West Blvd.

Port St. Lucie, Florida 34986

Testing Hours:

Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Saturday – Sunday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Indian River Hospital - Patient Pavilion

1000 36th Street

Vero Beach, Florida 32960

Testing Hours:

Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Affected Services

Ohio

Services currently suspended until further notice:

Locations with services or hours currently affected:

Events or classes cancelled or postponed:

Eatery and food service changes:

Florida

Services currently suspended until further notice:

Opportunities to Volunteer or Donate Learn more about ways to give to Cleveland Clinic's response to COVID-19



Events or classes cancelled or postponed:

American Heart Association’s Broward HeartWalk

Cleveland Clinic Florida 5K

Community Events

Patient Support Group Sessions

Eatery and food service changes:

Other Locations

Services currently suspended until further notice: