COVID-19

COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is a respiratory disease caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 is part of a family of coronaviruses that can cause respiratory infections and illness. 

COVID-19 isolation and exposure guidance in health care settings

All health care or emergency medical service personnel who test positive for COVID-19 or are exposed should follow the isolation and quarantine guidance found in CDPH AFL 21-08.9.

If a patient has been exposed or tested positive for COVID-19, please visit our COVID-19 Guidelines webpage to learn more about isolation and testing guidance for the general public and find resources that may be useful for patients. 

Note: When there is a difference between local, state, and federal guidelines or health orders; or difference with other regulatory agency guidelines, including guidelines for testing, quarantine, and isolation, the most restrictive guideline or order should be followed.

1. The information on this webpage is non-exhaustive. Health care providers should consult their respective state or federal regulatory or licensing agencies or governing bodies (including CDPH, CDSS, DHCS, NHSN) for additional information, guidance or requirements that may be applicable. 
2. In the workplace, employers are subject to Cal/OSHA's COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations, or in some workplaces the Cal/OSHA Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (ATD) Standard, and should consult those regulations for additional applicable requirements.
3. Health care facilities that are subject to reporting or licensing requirements by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) should visit the CMS webpage for additional information or requirements.

Testing for COVID-19

There are several viral tests available for detection for COVID-19. For more information on the types of testing available, please visit the CDC’s COVID-19 Testing webpage. Providers should follow all local, state and federal regulations related to testing, including but not limited to CDPH's COVID-19: Information for Laboratories. Providers may refer patients to our testing and vaccination webpage for additional resources.  

Prevention

See resources below to learn how providers can prevent COVID-19 in their community.

Promote and encourage vaccination

• Learn how to become a vaccine provider by visiting Vaccine Information for Healthcare Providers. 
• The CDC Interim Clinical Considerations provide clinicians with guidance on the use of COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized in the United States.

Keep up to date with local COVID-19 data and regulations

• Stay informed on the latest data by visiting the COVID Data and Reports webpage and COVID in Wastewater dashboard. 
• Review the latest COVID-19 policy, including any applicable masking mandates, by visiting the Health Order webpage. 
• Review Health Officer guidance for medical professionals by visiting the Health Alerts, Advisories, and Updates webpage.

Promote masking and face coverings

• Encourage others to upgrade their mask. Visit CDPH's Get the Most out of Masking webpage for more information. 

Review COVID-19 Infection Prevention Measures

• CDC Prevent Spread of COVID-19
• CDC How to Protect Yourself and Others
• CDPH COVID-19 Home Page
• CDPH Best Practices for Ventilation of Isolation Areas to Reduce COVID-19 Transmission Risk in Skilled Nursing Facilities, Long-Term Care Facilities, Hospices, Drug Treatment Facilities, and Homeless Shelters

COVID-19 treatment

Why prescribe antivirals to treat COVID-19?

COVID-19 therapeutics are a safe and effective measure for preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death for all persons, especially those at high-risk. All health care providers and prescribers are encouraged to provide therapeutic education and access for patients. See the resources below to learn more about available COVID-19 treatment options.

Provider resources for COVID-19 therapeutics

• The NIH COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines provide clinicians with evidence-based recommendations on the management of COVID-19.
• See CDPH’s COVID-19 Treatment Resources for Healthcare Providers for assistance with therapeutics. 
• The County of Santa Clara COVID-19 Oral Antivirals webpage provides information on currently authorized COVID-19 oral antiviral medications including eligibility criteria, prescribing instructions, and current pharmacy locations.

Patient resources for COVID-19 therapeutics

• Patients can visit the HHS Therapeutic Locator webpage to find COVID-19 therapeutic distributors near them.
• Patients can visit sesamecare.com/covid or call 1 (833) 686-5051 to make a free phone or video appointment to obtain timely COVID-19 oral therapeutics (Paxlovid or Molnupiravir).
• Patients may obtain assistance booking an appointment by emailing their name and phone number to [email protected]. Our team will call them within 24 hours.
• With a valid prescription, patients who are uninsured or underinsured may pick up their COVID-19 oral therapeutics (Paxlovid or Molnupiravir) free of charge at Better Health Pharmacy. 

Reporting

Health care provider reporting is an essential part of the public health response to COVID-19 as the information is used to detect outbreaks, identify exposures in high-risk settings, and inform the allocation of local resources. Timely and complete reporting of fatalities is necessary to characterize and communicate who is at highest risk of dying at home and in the hospital. 

• Health care providers who do not provide long-term care may learn about COVID-19 reporting, including how to report and any requirements, by visiting our Reporting webpage. 
• Long-term care providers may visit our Information for Long-Term Care Facilities webpage to learn more about their reporting requirements and find reporting resources. 
• Health care providers can learn about reporting MIS-C by visiting our Reporting webpage. All health care providers should fill out the MIS-C Form for all MIS-C cases.