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April 7, 2020

UC San Diego Health Statement Regarding Hydroxychloroquine

As soon as rumors began to circulate about hydroxychloroquine’s unproven potential to treat patients with COVID-19, UC San Diego Health pharmacies sequestered their available medication supply and implemented a plan to conserve supplies to be dispensed only for existing patients with lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and other approved indications. Hydroxychloroquine is FDA-approved for the treatment of only those few conditions. Insufficient information regarding hydroxychloroquine efficacy in COVID-19 infection is available to recommend its use in the absence of clinical trials data. UC San Diego Health does not support the use of medications in ways for which there is not yet scientific evidence to support safety and efficacy.

Since UC San Diego Health leaders sought out expert opinion from their faculty early in the emergency, and moved quickly to implement this plan before hydroxychloroquine supplies were exhausted, we are confident our patients who rely on hydroxychloroquine will be able to continue refilling their prescriptions without issue.

At the same time, UC San Diego Health experts are interested in assessing hydroxychloroquine’s potential to treat COVID-19 in a safe, scientific manner. To do that, our researchers are completing the necessary steps to participate in existing clinical trials and launch our own investigations of the medication.



COVID-19 information for UC San Diego Health patients and visitors.





The current pandemic requires thinking and actions beyond the norm. The University of California is working closely with California Gov. Gavin Newsom and state health officials to address one of the greatest needs of the moment: rapid expansion of testing for COVID-19. The effort is inspired, in part, by the innovative partnerships launched last month at UC San Diego with several diagnostics companies to operate multiple testing platforms, dramatically expanding local and regional capacity. These efforts continue, with encouraging results. The University of California and its five medical centers are fully engaged in ongoing collaboration with the state to further develop, grow and refine processes that will make COVID-19 testing broadly accessible to all in need as quickly as possible, and to help bring this pandemic to a speedier conclusion.

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has strained daily life across communities, countries and continents. It has particularly impacted the health care industry. UC San Diego Health has been at the forefront of the fight, both in treating patients and in developing a better understanding of the virus and how best to control its spread and consequences. To help alleviate the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other supplies in San Diego, UC San Diego Health has launched a donation website for the COVID-19 pandemic. While we are currently successfully managing PPE supplies as responsible stewards of our resources, we are asking all researchers and relevant facilities, individuals, organizations and communities to help by making key equipment and materials available to UC San Diego Health. Through the website, we are accepting donations of PPE, food and other items for caregivers and financial contributions. For more information, please visit health.ucsd.edu/covid-donate. Together, we can play an important role in addressing this emergency and helping those affected as we continue to protect the safety of our community and health care workers.

Two health workers at UC San Diego Health have tested positive for novel coronavirus (COVID-19), due to exposure and infection in the community. Both are recuperating at home and doing well. UC San Diego Health has launched an extensive effort to identify any patients or health system colleagues who may have been in recent contact with either of the two health workers. We are in constant communication with appropriate public health and regulatory agencies. Patients and team members entrust UC San Diego Health to keep them safe during their most vulnerable moments. We take this responsibility and the current situation extremely seriously, and understand the increased concern regarding potential exposure and its implications for one’s health and that of loved ones. Every step is being taken to reinforce current protective measures designed to ensure continued outstanding patient care in a safe environment. Community spread of novel coronavirus is a real and growing threat to public health. Both infected health workers sought medical assessment after exhibiting key respiratory symptoms, and were tested. This is an important reminder that all persons experiencing symptoms of respiratory infection, such as a fever, cough or shortness of breath, should not go to work, but rather stay home and contact their health care provider for further guidance and management options. These actions are fundamental to slowing and preventing community spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. UC San Diego Health and its teams of doctors, nurses and support staff are absolutely committed to providing exceptional patient care to the San Diego community, grounded in evidence-based medicine and best practices. We have been a leading health care provider throughout the current national emergency. We will continue to do so, redoubling our efforts to provide exemplary health care to our patients and community.

UC San Diego Health caring for patients with novel coronavirus A few patients from the region infected with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) who require hospital-level care are being treated at UC San Diego Health. UC San Diego Health is fully prepared to care for adult patients experiencing complications related to this disease. As the region’s only academic health system, we specialize in the care of patients with complex illnesses, including infectious diseases. Our commitment to safely care for our patients, visitors and our team members is our top priority. To this end, we are working closely with our local public health department, the California Department of Public Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with other local and regional health care systems to support the needs of everyone who walks through our doors. All health care systems in the region are responding to a local spread of this infection as well as to potentially caring for individuals quarantined at Miramar who may develop symptoms and require hospitalization. We understand others may be concerned about larger health risks. We want to reassure our patients, their loved ones and the community at large that UC San Diego Health is taking all necessary measures and precautions to minimize any potential exposures as we care for COVID-19 cases. Patients are treated in isolated rooms and health care providers in contact with these patients are trained to use appropriate personal protective equipment. UC San Diego Health takes health risks associated with respiratory illnesses, including influenza and the novel coronavirus, very seriously. As such, we are implementing strict visitor restrictions. No visitors of any age will be permitted to visit our hospitals or clinics until further notice. Request for exceptions may be made by contacting the clinic or unit in which loved ones are receiving care. Patients who have upcoming appointments who are currently experiencing a fever and a new cough or shortness of breath, should call their health care provider before their appointment to discuss next steps.

Patient Care Update: Second Patient Discharged The second patient under UC San Diego Health's care for COVID-19 has been discharged. At this time, UC San Diego Health is no longer caring for any patients with confirmed or possible cases of COVID-19. "The last few weeks have presented numerous challenges," said Patty Maysent, chief executive officer, UC San Diego Health. "Our skills, strengths and stamina have been tested, and I am proud to say we met the challenges across the board, throughout our health care system and across our broader communities. "The situation was often fluid and unpredictable, and the doctors, nurses and staff of UC San Diego Health worked tirelessly to support patients in their care with compassion, dignity and respect. They have collaborated daily, sometimes hourly or by the minute, with partners and peers at San Diego County Public Health Services and the CDC. "In all ways, at all times, their unified mission was — and remains — to keep patients and the public-at-large informed, protected and safe. It is not possible to express the depth of my gratitude for their efforts, professionalism and sacrifice." As the region's only academic health system, UC San Diego Health specializes in the care of adults with complex illnesses, including infectious diseases more virulent than COVID-19. The medical teams and staff at UC San Diego Health stand prepared and ready to address future challenges, tapping into resources and expertise unmatched in San Diego County and beyond. "With our partners in the federal and state government, as well as locally, we are doing everything possible to be prepared going forward," said Maysent. "That includes remembering that we are all in this together. Disease recognizes no boundaries or demographics. At one time or another, we are all either patient or caregiver. We must be responsible for each other. We must treat everyone we meet with inclusion, kindness and empathy. It's what makes us human, and something greater than any virus."

Patient Care Update: One Patient Discharged UC San Diego Health was informed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that a patient under our care for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has fully recovered from the virus. The patient is no longer infectious and cleared for discharge. Patients who are cleared for hospital discharge have been confirmed through rigorous testing that includes consecutive negative test results provided by the CDC. The patient was discharged today and is no longer under federal quarantine or isolation orders. As the region’s only academic health system, UC San Diego Health specializes in the care of adults with complex illnesses, including infectious diseases more virulent than COVID-19. Thank you to all UC San Diego Health team members, and federal, state and local officials, who have helped with the complex coordination of care for these individuals. We send well wishes to this patient and all those who have been affected by this situation.

UC San Diego Health is currently caring for two patients who tested positive for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. As needed, we will be accepting and caring for patients under investigation (PUI) who may develop symptoms that warrant further observation and testing. The safety and well-being of our patients and staff is our top priority. As the region’s only academic health system, UC San Diego Health specializes in the care of patients with complex illnesses, including infectious diseases more virulent and deadly than COVID-19. We are taking all necessary measures and precautions to minimize any potential exposures as we care for both potential and confirmed COVID-19 cases. Patients are treated in negative-pressure isolation rooms; health care providers in contact with these patients are trained to use appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gowns, gloves, fit-tested high-filtration respirators and face shields or goggles. We understand others may be concerned about larger health risks. We want to reassure our patients, their loved ones and the community at large that there is no exposure risk at any UC San Diego Health hospital or clinic. Patients and visitors can feel confident in making and keeping their appointments and using our services as usual.



UC San Diego Health currently has an adequate supply of personal protective equipment (PPE), including N95 respirators, to care for patients with certain transmissible diseases, including the novel coronavirus COVID-19. However, we are mindful of global supply chain limitations. We are following strategies provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for optimizing the supply of N95 respirators—these include regularly reminding our staff to conserve N95 respirators by using them only when they are required, and implementing practices that allow for extended use or limited reuse of N95 respirators for non-COVID-19 cases. Since the CDC does not recommend the use of any type of masks or respirators among the general population to avoid getting COVID-19, we are not providing N95 respirators to visitors. Instead, we are reminding staff, visitors and patients to maintain appropriate hand hygiene practices, wash hands regularly, and avoid touching face, eyes and mouth. At the same time, we are working closely with government agencies to coordinate appropriate distribution and supply of N95 respirators to address both immediate and long-term needs. For more information about the CDC’s strategies for optimizing the supply of N95 respirators, please see https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/respirator-supply-strategies.html. The safety and well-being of our patients and staff is our top priority. As the region’s only academic health system, UC San Diego Health specializes in the care of patients with complex illnesses, including infectious diseases more virulent and deadlier than COVID-19. We are taking all necessary measures and precautions to minimize any potential exposures as we care for both potential and confirmed COVID-19 cases. Patients are treated in negative-pressure isolation rooms; health care providers in contact with these patients are trained to use appropriate PPE, such as gowns, gloves, fit-tested high-filtration respirators and face shields or goggles.



UC San Diego Health is currently caring for three patients at UC San Diego Health who were transferred from federal quarantine at MCAS Miramar. Two have tested positive for COVID-19; a third is considered a patient under investigation (PUI) who has developed symptoms that warrant further observation and testing. All three patients are doing well. The safety and well-being of our patients and staff is our top priority. As the region’s only academic health system, UC San Diego Health specializes in the care of patients with complex illnesses, including infectious diseases more virulent and deadlier than COVID-19. We are taking all necessary measures and precautions to minimize any potential exposures as we care for both potential and confirmed COVID-19 cases. Patients are treated in negative-pressure isolation rooms; health care providers in contact with these patients are trained to use appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gowns, gloves, fit-tested high-filtration respirators and face shields or goggles. We understand others may be concerned about larger health risks. We want to reassure our patients, their loved ones and the community at large that there is no exposure risk at any UC San Diego Health hospitals or clinics. Patients and visitors can feel confident in making and keeping their appointments and using our services as usual. See COVID-19 information for our patients and visitors.

Precautions to Minimize Potential Exposures UC San Diego Health continues to care for two patients transferred from MCAS Miramar under federal quarantine for the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. One patient has tested positive for COVID-19; the other is being evaluated for the infection. Both patients are doing well, with minimal symptoms. The safety and well-being of our patients and staff is our top priority. As the region’s only academic health system, UC San Diego Health specializes in the care of patients with complex illnesses, including infectious diseases more virulent and deadlier than COVID-19. We are taking all necessary measures and precautions to minimize any potential exposures as we care for both potential and confirmed COVID-19 cases. Patients are treated in isolated rooms; health care providers in contact with these patients are trained to use appropriate personal protective equipment, such as gowns, gloves, fit-tested high-filtration masks and face shields or goggles. We understand others may be concerned about larger health risks. We want to reassure our patients, their loved ones and the community at large that there is no exposure risk at any UC San Diego Health hospitals or clinics. Patients and visitors can feel confident in making and keeping their appointments and using our services as usual.



Patient Privacy Practices On Sunday, February 9, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials informed San Diego Public Health that all four patients being evaluated for novel coronavirus (now known as COVID-19) at UC San Diego Health had tested negative for the virus. This information was shared with UC San Diego Health, and at the CDC’s direction, the four patients were discharged wearing masks and returned directly to federal quarantine at MCAS Miramar. CDC officials later advised San Diego Public Health that one of the four patients had in fact tested positive for COVID-19. The confirmed positive patient was returned to UC San Diego Health the next day for observation and isolation until they can be cleared by the CDC for release. In order to protect patient privacy, UC San Diego Health followed standard security protocols using pseudonyms for patients under evaluation. The CDC, however, used different naming protocols that were not shared with our institution. We have since worked closely with the CDC to protect patient privacy while ensuring that labeling matches at all facilities. The privacy and welfare of our patients remains our number one priority.



One Patient Has Tested Positive for COVID-2019 On Sunday, February 9, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials informed San Diego Public Health that all four patients being evaluated for COVID-19 at UC San Diego Health had tested negative for the virus. This information was shared with UC San Diego Health and at the CDC’s direction, the four patients were discharged and returned to federal quarantine at MCAS Miramar. Two patients, who arrived aboard a plane from China to MCAS Miramar on February 5, are currently being evaluated for 2019-nCoV at UC San Diego Health. This morning, CDC officials advised San Diego Public Health that further testing revealed that one of the four patients tested positive for COVID-19. The confirmed positive patient was returned to UC San Diego Health for observation and isolation until cleared by the CDC for release. One additional patient from MCAS Miramar was transported to UC San Diego Health this afternoon for evaluation for COVID-19. As per CDC instruction, patients being evaluated will remain admitted until the test results are confirmed by the CDC. Both patients are doing well and have minimal symptoms. The safety and welfare of our staff and patients remains our number one priority.

