Updated: March 30, 2020 — Please check back often as information may change quickly.
Loma Linda University Health is monitoring COVID-19 (coronavirus) closely. The safety of our patients, employees and community is our highest priority during this time.
Information and Resources
Temporary Closure
Effective March 31, Loma Linda University Advanced Urgent Care will be temporarily closed until further notice.
Please view our other locations for access to care for you and your family.
Hospital Entrance Changes
In continuing efforts to manage and screen public and employee access to both the Medical Center and Children’s Hospital, we have taken the following actions effective immediately:
- The front, or east, entrances of the University and Children’s hospitals are closed until further notice
- Valet service is suspended until further notice
- Patient access and discharge will be through parking structure P3 by means of the grand hallway
- Emergency Department entrance is for emergency room patients only. No employee drop-offs are permitted through this entrance
- All Medical Center and Children’s Hospital employees must continue parking in P2 and enter through the north breezeway entrance
Visitor Restrictions
For the safety of our patients and staff, we will no longer be allowing visitors in any of our adult hospitals effective March 20. Humanitarian exceptions will be allowed and will be determined by the charge nurse of the respective unit.
Children’s Hospital will follow the guidelines that they have put in place, which allow two approved visitors per patient, although they may only rotate once every 24 hours and cannot be in the facility at the same time.
Patient Appointments
Screening
Before you visit our hospitals and clinics, please read the following screening questions. If you answer "yes" to any, contact your primary care physician by phone or MyChart before coming in.
- Do you have a fever, cough, runny nose or shortness of breath?
- Have you been in close contact with someone diagnosed or quarantined for COVID-19 (coronavirus)?
- Have you traveled outside the United States in the last 14 days?
Patients and visitors will be screened at the entrances of our hospitals and clinics.
Elective Surgeries and In-Clinic Visits
Loma Linda University Health is taking action to limit the potential spread of COVID-19 and prepare for the possible rapid increase in critical patient care needs. At this time:
- All elective, non-urgent procedures are being canceled and rescheduled for a later date.
- Many clinic visits are being converted to telephone or video visits.
- Loma Linda University School of Dentistry’s clinics are providing limited and emergency coverage only.
Our clinicians will be working to determine the best treatment plan for each patient. We will be utilizing telephone and video visits to ensure you are receiving the care you need.
Learn more about video visits by watching this brief video.
Schedule your appointments through Mychart or by contacting your primary care provider.
Please note: these changes do not apply to Loma Linda University Medical Center – Murrieta.
Children's Appointments
If your child has an appointment, we ask that one adult caregiver accompanies the child. If there is no other available childcare for the child's siblings, please contact the clinic for options.
Coronavirus: Symptoms and What to Do
What is COVID-19 (coronavirus)? Learn about risks, symptoms, treatment and prevention.
What should I do if I have symptoms? Call your doctor if you’re experiencing fever, cough or difficulty breathing and think you’ve been exposed to COVID-19. Your doctor will help you take any necessary precautions before coming in for care.
How do I get tested for COVID-19? If you feel that you need to be tested, please contact your primary care provider. They will screen you for symptoms, determine if a test is needed and give you further instruction.
What do I do if I was exposed to someone who has now tested positive? Please follow the CDC guidelines for home and self-decontamination. Follow social isolation guidelines to limit your exposure to others in the event that you are contagious. If you develop symptoms, contact your primary care provider or schedule a visit using Mychart.
How can I protect myself and loved ones? The most effective ways to prevent infection are handwashing and limiting contact with others. View our coronavirus fact sheet (PDF) for more prevention tips.
Do kids have the same symptoms as adults? Yes. Children usually have mild cold-like symptoms, including fever, runny nose, cough or difficulty breathing. At this time, there isn’t evidence to suggest COVID-19 symptoms are much different for kids.
Are children more at risk of infection or serious illness from COVID-19? No. Most cases of COVID-19 currently involve adults. Further, severe illness is uncommon for both healthy children and adults. If your child has other health conditions, he or she may be more at risk.
Should I wear a facemask to prevent COVID-19 infection? The CDC does not recommend wearing a facemask if you are not sick. Instead, facemasks should be worn by people who have been exposed and are showing symptoms. You should only wear a mask if your healthcare provider recommends it.
Is there a vaccine for COVID-19? Currently, there is no vaccine for COVID-19. Several potential vaccines are in various stages of development.
Can pets become infected with COVID-19? Although COVID-19 likely originated from an animal source in China, there have not been reports of American pets becoming sick with COVID-19. As a precaution, the CDC recommends not handling pets or other animals while sick. Some common coronaviruses can spread between people and animals.
How long can the COVID-19 virus live on a surface? Two new research studies show severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) — the cause of COVID-19 disease — can remain stable and infectious on certain types of surfaces for longer time periods than previously estimated. Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine shows the SARS-CoV-2 virus can remain active for up to four hours on copper, up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to two to three days on plastic and stainless steel. A second study in the Journal of Hospital Infection reports the virus can last up to nine days on surfaces such as metal, glass or plastic.
What is the best way to disinfect surfaces? The Journal of Hospital Infection’s report indicates ethanol, hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochlorite are most effective when used as surface disinfectants.
Watch Video: Experts Dispel Coronavirus Myths