COVID-19

Stay Safe While You’re in the Hospital

COVID-19, sometimes called the coronavirus, is a respiratory virus that spreads very easily from person to person. It causes mild symptoms in most people and severe symptoms or even death in others. Common symptoms include cough, fever and shortness of breath (for a full list of symptoms, visit cdc.gov/covid19). COVID-19 can be serious for anyone, but especially for people over 65 or with underlying health problems. 

Reduce Your Risk 

Take these steps to keep yourself and others safe from COVID-19 during your hospital stay: 

• Wear a snug-fitting mask over your nose and mouth. This protects you and the people around you, and is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
• Frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you can’t get to the bathroom on your own, use your nurse call button to ask for help. 
• Sanitize your hands with alcohol-based gel. Have hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol placed near your bed so you can clean your hands throughout the day. 
• Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw tissues out immediately, then wash your hands. 
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. 
• Make sure hospital staff disinfects frequently touched surfaces, such as bed rails, remote controls and doorknobs. 

Special Steps for Visitors 

Ask your nurse if visitors are allowed in your room. If they are, make sure visitors wash their hands before coming in, and ask them to wear a mask.