COVID-19 FAQs

Coronavirus, otherwise referred to as COVID-19 is a new virus that has the potential to cause severe illness and pneumonia in some people.

For the most up-to-date information from UCLA Health, please visit our Coronavirus site or call our Patient Hotline Monday to Friday, 7 am to 7 pm at 310-267-3300. Calls received outside of business hours will be returned the following business day.

Other resources include: LA County Department of Public Health | CDC Coronavirus Information | WHO (World Health Organization) COVID-19 Report

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 include:

• Fever, cough, shortness of breath and/or difficulty breathing.

Other symptoms can include:

• Fatigue, body aches, runny nose and sore throat.

More symptoms to be aware of include

• Chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and new loss of taste or smell

For complete list, visit the CDC’s COVID-19 symptoms page.

If you need a primary care doctor, please call 800- 825-2631 or visit the Primary Care site.

The symptoms of COVID-19 are generally similar in children and adults. Children with COVID-19 have generally presented with milder symptoms, a milder clinical course and faster recovery. Symptoms mimic many common respiratory illnesses in children, such as fever, runny nose, and cough. Vomiting and diarrhea have also been reported more commonly in children.

If you have symptoms like fever, new cough or difficulty breathing, contact your doctor by phone before coming into a clinic or hospital.

• Most people with coronavirus (COVID-19) will get better without the need for hospitalization.
• Separate yourself from other people in your home. Do not go to work, school, or public areas and avoid public transportation.
• Treatment for coronavirus (COVID-19) includes supportive care, like taking fluids, rest and medications to help relieve symptoms.

If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice. Call 911 for severe shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

The airborne transmission of COVID-19 has not been proven, although some experts think that coronavirus droplets can hang in the air and possibly infect someone who walks by at a later time. How long the virus stays in the air depends on several factors, and current research on this topic is limited.

Coronavirus is mostly transmitted when people are in close contact with one another. The disease is spread by droplets produced when a person sneezes or coughs.

There is some evidence that COVID-19 might cause a person's blood to thicken which could lead to strokes and other circulatory problems in patients whose symptoms are mild otherwise. There have been a few reported cases of strokes in patients with COVID-19 in younger age groups. It is important to call 911 if you are or a loved one is experiencing stroke-like symptoms.

There have been reports out of Europe and Los Alamos National Laboratory that there are mutations of the original COVID-19 virus. However, there is currently no scientific consensus that mutations have changed the general contagiousness or potential health effects of COVID-19 and there is no evidence that mutations impact efforts to develop a single effective vaccine.

A rare inflammatory syndrome similar to Kawasaki disease appears linked to COVID-19 in kids. For more, click here.

COVID toes is a condition in which painful red or purple lesions appear on a person’s fingers or toes. Also know as chilblains, the condition has recently been linked to some patients afflicted with coronavirus.

COVID toes is not on the CDC’s list of symptoms, however that update could happen at any time.

Wrestling with intense emotions day after day drains your energy, causing pandemic fatigue. The fatigue can stem from a number of emotions you’ve experienced during the pandemic, including:

• Fear
• Anxiety
• Loneliness
• Hopelessness

Here are concrete steps you can take to feel better while staying safe.

Having symptoms of a heart attack or stroke? Go to the Emergency Department. COVID-19 concerns or not.

Since mid-March, 20% of people in the U.S. experiencing either a heart attack or a stroke have not called 911 or come to the ER. Learn what symptoms to look out for and why you should never wait to seek emergency care.

The experimental drug remdesivir is used to treat hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19. The FDA issued an emergency-use authorization (EAU) to distribute the drug to health systems across the country and recently expanded that distribution. This is the only approved treatment to date.

There is no vaccine for COVID-19 yet, however several promising vaccines are in development. We’re closing monitoring the vaccines in Phase 3 development, including those from Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca/Oxford University and Johnson & Johnson. UCLA Health is a participant site of the Moderna trial and the focus of the trail will be on high-risk participants.

To learn more about COVID-19 vaccine clinical studies or to volunteer as a potential participant, click here

Click here for all current research and clinical trials related to COVID-19, which are open and actively recruiting volunteers.

If you have fully recovered from COVID-19, please consider donating plasma through our Convalescent Plasma Donation study.

The experimental drug remdesivir is used to treat hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19. The FDA issued an emergency-use authorization (EAU) to distribute the drug to health systems across the country and recently expanded that distribution. This is the only approved treatment to date.

Dexamethasone is a steroid that scientists in London have used in a clinical trial on patients with very severe cases of COVID-19. Early results were promising, but dexamethasone has not been approved for widespread use. UCLA Health has begun to use dexamethasone as a treatment for COVID-19 in a select group of patients.

Although there has been a lot of discussion in the news about hydroxychloroquine, a malaria medicine that is being studied for the treatment of COVID-19, the drug has not been shown to be safe and effective. In fact, according to this study, in which hydroxychloroquine was used as treatment to coronavirus patients, the drug showed no benefit for thousands hospitalized in New York. Furthermore, the FDA issued a statement cautioning against use of this drug for COVID-19 outside a hospital setting.

UCLA infectious diseases experts strongly recommend against use of hydroxychloroquine for treatment or prevention of COVID-19.

Please consult your physician for more information. Do not take the drug outside your physician's counsel as a treatment or prevention for COVID-19.

Yes. We regularly treat patients with infectious diseases and complex illnesses and have rigorous infection-prevention protocols. Our infectious disease specialists are highly trained, in continual contact with local, state and federal public health officials and closely monitoring developments.

UCLA Health offers diagnostic COVID-19 testing for UCLA Health patients in more than 20 locations. You must have an appointment and an order from a primary care physician before coming to one of our facilities. Please contact your primary care physician if you think you should be tested. If you don’t have a primary care physician, please call 310-825-2631.

All patients who are admitted to UCLA Health through our emergency departments will also be tested for COVID-19, as will most patients undergoing a surgery or procedure in one of our hospitals or clinical facilities.

If you are not a UCLA Health patient, LA County offers COVID-19 tests in many locations.

UCLA Health primarily uses a nasopharyngeal swab to test for and diagnose active COVID-19.

An antibody or serology test is a blood test that looks for signs of a previous COVID-19 infection. It detects antibodies or proteins in the blood that are found in response to an infection. Detailed information about antibody (serology) testing, who is eligible and how it works can be found here: Antibody Testing FAQs.

COVID-19 diagnostic tests are generally covered by insurance if the test is medically required or you have symptoms. Please talk to your primary care physician about your individual case and contact your insurance provider prior to scheduling to confirm coverage. If you do not have a primary care physician, please call 310-825-2631.

If you’re not a UCLA Health patient, LA County has expanded its test capabilities. Click here for more.

Currently there is no blood test available for COVID-19.

UCLA Health offers diagnostic COVID-19 testing for UCLA Health patients in more than 20 locations. You must have an appointment and an order from a primary care physician before coming to one of our facilities. Please contact your primary care physician if you think you should be tested. If you don’t have a primary care physician, please call 310-825-2631.

All patients who are admitted to UCLA Health through our emergency departments will also be tested for COVID-19, as will most patients undergoing a surgery or procedure in one of our hospitals or clinical facilities.

If you are not a UCLA Health patient, LA County offers COVID-19 tests in many locations.

Drive-thru testing sites:

• Calabasas
• Santa Clarita
• Santa Monica

In-clinic testing locations:

• Brentwood
• Century City
• Culver City
• Malibu
• Manhattan Beach
• Manhattan Beach Pediatrics
• Marina del Rey
• Pacific Palisades
• Pasadena Pediatrics
• Redondo Beach
• Santa Monica – 15^th Street Plaza
• Santa Monica – 15^th Street Family Medicine
• Santa Monica – Family Health Center
• Santa Monica – Wilshire Immediate Care
• Santa Monica – Ocean Park
• Santa Monica Pediatrics
• Torrance Pediatrics
• West Los Angeles Pediatrics
• West Washington
• Westwood Pediatrics
• Woodland Hills

Testing locations for motion picture patients:

• UCLA Health/MPTF Age Well (Woodland Hills)
• UCLA Health/MPTF Bob Hope (Hollywood)
• UCLA Health/MPTF Santa Clarita
• UCLA Health/MPTF Toluca Lake (Burbank)
• UCLA Health/MPTF Westside

We are currently seeing results in 1-2 days.

Positive Result – If you receive a positive result, the ordering UCLA Health physician will reach out to you directly within 1-2 days and the result will be posted within MyUCLAHealth.

 Negative Result – Most tests are negative. Due to the high number, people with a negative result will not be receiving a call however the results will be posted within MyUCLAHealth. For any specific questions, please reach out to your Primary Care physician’s office. 

If you do not have a primary care physician, call 1-800-825-2631 or visit the Primary Care page.

An antibody or serology test is a blood test that looks for signs of a previous COVID-19 infection. It detects antibodies or proteins in the blood that are found in response to an infection. Detailed information about antibody (serology) testing, who is eligible and how it works can be found here: Antibody Testing FAQs.

The expected turnaround time is 24 to 48 hours.

All patients who are scheduled for surgery, and various other procedures at UCLA Health, are required to be tested for COVID-19 by a UCLA Health provider 1 to 2 days prior. COVID-19 test results from other laboratories will not be accepted. The surgery or department coordinator should reach out to you in advance to review this process with you. If you haven't been contacted, please reach out to the department or call 1-310-825-2631.

Call 1-310-825-2631 or complete this form to schedule your visit now.

UCLA students should be tested for COVID-19 through orders issued by their primary care doctors or take advantage of LA County testing services.

If you are a UCLA student with a campus insurance plan and want to know about COVID testing and testing sites, please visit the student insurance page for more info.

If you have active COVID-19, you will not yet have the antibodies present.

A doctor may order a COVID-19 diagnostic test if you show no symptoms only when you:

• have been in close contact with someone who recently tested positive
• live or work in a high-risk setting, such as a skilled nursing facility or correction facility
• are a health care provider or other essential worker.

If you do not qualify for one of the requirements, we cannot authorize a test for you, regardless of your insurance policy or self-pay.

Please speak to your doctor if you qualify for testing under these requirements. If you do not have a primary care physician, please call 310-825-2631.

Other testing resources

For other COVID-19 diagnostic testing resources, please visit LA County's free COVID-19 testing website, CVS or EXER urgent care.

At UCLA Health, the preferred method of testing for COVID-19 is a swab introduced into the nose by a trained healthcare professional. UCLA Health does not offer home COVID-19 testing at this time, but we continue to explore all options for testing as new research becomes available.

We are open. If you have a medical procedure, appointment or screening that you’ve delayed or that you would like to schedule, we're here to help. Please contact your doctor through my.uclahealth.org, call 310-825-2631 or request an appointment here to schedule your visit now.

While many health care needs can be managed through telehealth or video visits, you should be assured that we have implemented the most effective infection prevention policies for our patients and staff so that you can feel safe when coming in for care.

UCLA Health has made it a priority to service patients with surgical cases that may have been postponed and those who are seeking enhanced diagnostic testing. If your appointment is scheduled within the next 7 days and/or if you have any concerns about pending treatments, you should contact your doctor to discuss the best course of action for your personal situation at 310-825-2631.

Many primary care and specialty care providers have the capability to do a video visit (virtual visit). We are trying to convert as many in-person visits as possible to telemedicine (video visits). Some appointments warrant in-person visits. Please call your doctor's office directly or 310-825-2631 to schedule your video visit. Learn more about video visits here.

As a tertiary and quaternary medical center, UCLA Health will continue to treat patients who rely on us for their health and safety.

For the most up-to-date information from UCLA Health, please visit our Coronavirus site or call our Patient Hotline at 310-267-3300, 7 days a week , from 7 am to 7 pm. Calls received outside of business hours will be returned the following business day.

Other resources include: LA County Department of Public Health | CDC Coronavirus Information | WHO (World Health Organization) COVID-19 Report

How your in-person doctor’s appointment visit will work:
When you arrive at the clinic a UCLA Health employee will greet you outside, take your temperature and ask you a few questions about any symptoms you're experiencing that may be related to COVID-19. Your visitor will undergo the same screening (see our visitor policy here).

Everyone will then be provided with a mask to wear, if needed, and you will be escorted into an exam room, where members of your health care team will provide your care. UCLA Health staff will also be wearing masks to maximize infection prevention.

For information about dental or orthodontist services or appointments, visit the UCLA School of Dentistry Patient Care page.

We offer a full array of surgical procedures from complex to non-emergency surgeries. To schedule your surgery, please reach out to your provider through my.uclahealth.org.

As you know, prenatal visits occur every four weeks in the first and second trimester, every two weeks until 36 weeks and then weekly until birth. We usually check your blood pressure, monitor your weight and check baby’s heart rate at every visit. Given the pandemic of COVID-19, we may modify the schedule and reduce the frequency of these visits based on essential pregnancy testing and indicated medical care during testing. Your provider may offer telehealth visits and limit in-person visits to decrease the potential exposure to COVID-19. Please talk to your physician or midwife and follow their instructions.

To learn more about coronavirus precautions for pregnant women watch COVID-19 in pregnancy video with Drs. Afshar and Rao.

Yes. Given UCLA Health’s rigorous infection-prevention protocols, we believe that it is very safe for you to deliver your baby at UCLA-affiliated hospitals.

Based on the CDC recommendations, please do not come to Labor and Delivery, the hospital, or the outpatient clinic setting without calling your provider first to determine if a face-to-face evaluation is needed. Other alternatives may be available.

Any patient with fever and respiratory symptoms, regardless of travel history, will be provided a mask to wear, be placed in their own room promptly, and evaluated by essential health care providers wearing appropriate personal protective equipment. Throughout labor and delivery, you will be asked to wear a surgical mask at the time of delivery to decrease potential exposure of the newborn, healthcare personnel, and other labor and delivery patients to infection. To limit possible exposures, no visitors are allowed. For more information about the companion policy, please see: https://www.uclahealth.org/coronavirus

Visitors in Labor and Delivery are limited to one support person – spouse, partner, doula, etc. – during your labor. Healthy visitors will be educated to clean hands with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer before and after touching the patient or the newborn. Nurses will screen all visitors for signs/symptoms of fever and respiratory illness. A visitor with febrile respiratory symptoms will not be allowed to be the support person for a laboring mother.  Unfortunately, during this pandemic, and to limit possible exposures, visitors will be restricted from postpartum and nursery.

If you have confirmed or probable COVID-19, you will likely be moved during the postpartum period to a negative pressure room to prevent potential spread of infection. If you have suspected COVID-19, you will be in a routine postpartum room with the door closed. Transmission of COVID-19 after birth via contact with infectious respiratory secretions remains a concern, but this is based on limited data. It is unknown whether newborns with COVID-19 are at increased risk for severe complications, therefore the risks and benefits of temporary separation of you and your baby should be discussed with your healthcare team.

Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for most infants. However, according to the CDC, little is known about COVID-19. Whether and how to start or continue breastfeeding should be determined by you in coordination with your family and healthcare providers. If you are temporarily separated from your baby and intend to breastfeed, we encourage you to express your breast milk to establish and maintain milk supply. A dedicated breast pump will be provided. Prior to expressing breast milk, you should practice hand hygiene. If possible, consider having a healthy person feed the expressed breast milk to your baby. If you and your newborn baby are rooming-in and you wish to feed your baby at the breast, you will be asked to wear a new surgical mask and practice hand hygiene before each feeding.

In limited recent case series of infants born to mothers with COVID-19 published in the peer-reviewed literature, the virus was not detected in samples of amniotic fluid or breast milk.

Data has shown that some people are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness. This includes older adults as well as people who have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease.

In general, pregnant women are at higher risk for developing complications from some viral respiratory infections because their immune defenses are lowered during pregnancy. However, there is no reason for pregnant women, specifically, to be panicked.

They should continue to follow the current recommended preventive actions to avoid infection, such as washing hands often and avoiding contact with people who are sick, especially if those people have traveled to areas with a coronavirus outbreak. To learn more about coronavirus precautions for pregnant women watch COVID-19 in pregnancy video with Dr. Afshar and Rao.

Data has shown that some people are at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness. This includes older adults age 65 years and older and those who live in nursing homes. The following medical conditions are considered high risk to a person of any age:

• Chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma, serious heart conditions
• Immunocompromised people resulting from cancer treatment, smoking, bone marrow or organ transplantation, immune deficiencies, poorly controlled HIV or AIDS, and prolonged use of corticosteroids and other immune weakening medications
• Severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 40 or higher)
• Diabetes
• Chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis
• Liver disease

As the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, continues to spread across the globe, so do fears and anxiety surrounding the virus.

Anxiety is the body’s natural response to stress. And while it is normal to feel anxious before starting a new job or speaking in public, too much anxiety can be unhealthy. Read more about coping with coronavirus fears and anxiety.

Also, take a moment to watch this video featuring UCLA Health psychiatrist Jenna Lee, MD.

Governor Gavin Newsom has required Californians to wear face coverings in public spaces. Face coverings and masks slow the spread of COVID-19. To learn more about face coverings, how to make them and the importance of washing them, visit the CDC Face Coverings page.

Public health officials recommend washing your hands frequently and for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer as frequently as possible. To read more about handwashing, soap, and hand sanitizer, click here.

You should also avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth as well as avoiding contact with people who are sick. If you are sick, stay home and do not travel or report to work.

Mayor Garcetti recently announced that all Angelenos should begin wearing non-medical face coverings while in public.

Visit the CDC to learn more key information.

Research suggests that COVID-19 lives for up to 72 hours on hard, shiny surfaces and up to 24 hours on cardboard, paper and fabric. It is not known if the virus present on surfaces remains infectious, surfaces suspected of contamination should be disinfected.

It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their mouth, nose or eyes.

For the most up-to-date information from UCLA Health, please visit our Coronavirus site or call our Patient Hotline Monday to Friday, 7 am to 7 pm at 310-267-3300. Calls received outside of business hours will be returned the following business day.

It is thought to be safe to order food from restaurants. Additional helpful steps could include to wipe down the packaging and containers with a sanitizer, and removing the food from the container, transferring it to clean plate and washing your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds prior to eating. There’s no evidence to suggest coronavirus is transmitted through food.

All patients being admitted via our emergency departments will be tested for COVID-19, as will all patients undergoing surgery or procedures at Ronald Reagan, Santa Monica UCLA Medical Centers and many of our other clinical facilities.

We have rigorous infection prevention policies in place in all of our more than 200 medical clinics and the hospitals, including health and temperature screening for patients, visitors and staff before they enter our medical clinics or hospitals. We follow universal masking, which means everyone must wear a face covering or medical mask before entering a UCLA Health medical clinic or hospital. We also practice physical distancing in all shared spaces.

We follow enhanced disinfection and sterilization procedures in exam rooms, on all machines after every patient, and on high-touch surfaces, such as elevator buttons and digital screens.

While we recognize that all of us must remain vigilant with face covering, physical distancing and hand washing, we value the importance of our patients’ families and friends in the healing process. New visitor guidelines have been put in place so that patients can now begin receiving visitors.

In the current context, “social distancing” really means physical distancing and refers to staying at least 6 feet away from people to help avoid getting sick.

If a member of your household is sick, separate yourself as much as possible. Avoid sharing personal items like food and drinks. Avoid sharing a bathroom if possible and provide your sick household member with clean disposable facemasks to wear at home (if available) to help prevent spreading COVID-19 to others. Sanitize high-touch areas, such as countertops and doorknobs on a daily basis.

For guidelines to keep you, your family, and Los Angeles safe, including outdoor activities, visit the LA Coronavirus FAQs page.

If you have experienced close contact (defined as less than 6 feet away for more than 10 minutes) with someone who has tested positive, or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, then you should self-quarantine for 14 days. COVID-19 symptoms typically appear within 2-14 days.

Individuals should call their personal doctor if they have come in close contact with a person who has COVID-19. For more information please reference the CDC’s site with information on what to do if you are sick.

To properly self-quarantine, separate yourself from other people and animals in your home. As much as possible, you should stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home. Use a separate bathroom, if available.

May I visit friends and family in the hospital?

Hospital COVID-19 Visitor Guidelines:
Please see new hospital visitor guidelines here.

Outpatient COVID-19 Visitor Guidelines:
Every UCLA Health patient can bring one healthy person with them to appointments in the outpatient setting. This person can be a family member or support person who is necessary to help the patient during the visit or to help the patient return home.

Please note: Visitors presenting with visible signs of fever, cough or other flu-like symptoms will be politely asked to wait outside the office.

As the coronavirus spreads across the globe, the question of whether to travel and where it's safe to go has become increasingly complicated. Please click here to read more on travel safety.

This blog post helps you weigh the risks of flying versus driving on a trip.

The quickest answer is, we don’t know.

Right now, scientists do not fully understand how the presence of antibodies relates to immunity. They do not know if someone can be re-infected with COVID-19 if they already had the disease, or for how long potential immunity might last.

As more research on coronavirus and COVID-19 is conducted and the immune response to the disease is better understood, scientists and doctors will better understand the relationship between antibodies and immunity.

Your prescription insurance plan, state law, and the medication type determine the quantity of medication or supplies you can fill at one time. Try these steps:

• Call your plan for information about mail order options, 90 day supply requests, and early fills
• If authorized by your plan, contact the pharmacy that fills your prescriptions to request a 3-month supply
• If needed, contact the doctor’s office to approve refills or to transfer prescriptions to a mail order pharmacy

All UCLA retail pharmacies in both campuses including UCLA specialty pharmacy are open with regular operating hours and can be reached at 310-206-DRUG.

Patients looking for alternative ways to access their prescriptions that are ready at one of the UCLA retail pharmacies, can receive medications via mail delivery. UCLA pharmacies are waiving delivery fees for all eligible prescriptions.

• Patients should talk to their pharmacists to confirm their prescriptions are eligible for delivery
• They can also send a representative to pick up their medications on their behalf if they choose
• Some UCLA pharmacies are offering curbside pickup for convenience and social distancing

To reach our UCLA retail pharmacies, please call 310-206DRUG (310-206-3784).

To contact UCLA Health Department of Pharmacy Services, Ambulatory & Community Practices, call: 323-22DRUGS (323-223-7847).

Yes. Some Medicare Part D plans allow “refill too soon” overrides under certain circumstances. For more information, please visit www.cms.gov or call your part D plan provider directly.

If you feel unwell, particularly if you have a fever, intense achiness, coughing, or trouble breathing, it is very important to contact your doctor immediately for assistance direction. Typical OTC medications and their use is below.

• Acetaminophen (TYLENOL) may be used to help with fever
• Dextromethorphan (DELSYM) may be used to help with cough
• Guaifenesin (ROBITUSSIN) may be used to help with secretions
• Loratadine (CLARITIN) may be used to help with allergic symptoms
• Famotidine (PEPCID) may be used to help with stomach acid or heartburn
• Simethicone (MYLICON) may be used to help with gas

Always follow the dosing instructions and do not take more than the recommended doses listed on the product packages.

• Generic and prescription ranitidine products may contain a contaminant known as NDMA. NDMA, taken in large amounts for a very long time, may increase the risk of cancer.
• Any OTC products should be discontinued. Please read the labels on antacids, reflux or heartburn products to check if they contain ranitidine. If taking as a prescription, check with your doctor first before making any changes.
• Other products that are similar to ranitidine have NOT been shown to contain NDMA. The closest equivalent is Famotidine (Pepcid).

According to the FDA, there is no evidence that the use of NSAIDs, like ibuprofen, can worsen COVID-19 symptoms at this time. Currently, the FDA is investigating this issue and will provide more information when it is available. Speak to your health care provider if you are concerned about taking NSAIDs or rely on these medications to treat a chronic illness. For a more detailed discussion, please visit UCLA Health Connect blog, NSAID article. Dr. Otto Yang, an infectious disease expert at UCLA, comments on the issue in depth.

No. Both the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology recommend that you keep taking your ACE or ARB medications. If you have high blood pressure or heart disease and are diagnosed with COVID-19, it is very important to discuss with your doctor before adding or removing any treatments.

No. It is very important to discuss with your doctor before adding or removing any treatments. Contact your doctor to build an individual plan based on your specific situation.

• Ask if your pharmacy delivers. Many of them do.
• Arrange for a friend or family member to pick them up for you. Call ahead and let the pharmacist know.
• Some pharmacies are not physically accepting credit cards or cash from patients in order to avoid close contact. When you contact your pharmacist, ask how they prefer to be paid.
• Consider using your insurance’s mail order pharmacy, which can deliver medications in a 3-month supply.
• UCLA Health doctors are offering secure, private video visits for patients. Please contact your doctor’s office to set up an appointment.

Contact your doctor. It is not known if pregnant women are at a greater risk from COVID-19. Additional information can be found on the UCLA Health OBGYN website.

Many pharmacies are offering to bring your prescriptions to you at the curb or in the parking lot. Call ahead and see if this is an option. However, given the current situation, please be patient as there may be a wait.
Some pharmacies are not physically accepting credit cards or cash from patients in order to avoid close contact. When you contact your pharmacist, ask how they prefer to be paid.

• ACE & ARB drugs and COVID-19:
  Patients taking ACE-i and ARBs who contract COVID-19 should continue treatment, unless otherwise advised by their physician: Statement from the American Heart Association, the Heart Failure Society of America and the American College of Cardiology, 2020 Mar 17. Learn more >
• Chronic Illness and COVID-19:
  Fang L et al. Are patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus at increased risk for COVID-19 infection? Lancet Respir Med 2020 Mar 11 [e-pub]. Learn more >
• NSAIDs and COVID-19:
  FDA advises patients on use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for COVID-19, 2020 March 19. Learn more >
• Ranitidine (Zantac) recall: Learn more >
• UCLA Health Department of Pharmacy Services Ambulatory & Community Practices
  For questions, call: (323) 22DRUGS (323-223-7847)
• To reach our UCLA retail pharmacies located in Westwood and Santa Monica, please call (310) 206DRUG (310-206-3784).
  200 Medical Plaza, level 1 pharmacy
  UCLA Specialty Pharmacy
  200 Medical Plaza, level 4 pharmacy
  Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, outpatient pharmacy
  CHS outpatient pharmacy
  UCLA 16th street pharmacy
• General information about coronavirus
• Center for Disease Control website
• NSAID Expert opinion
• Pregnancy and coronavirus FAQs

Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as "PPE", is equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazard or illness. This includes gloves, masks, eye protection, respirators, gowns and more.

To donate PPE, email covid19PPEsupport@mednet.ucla.edu. Here is a list of our greatest needs, including how and where to donate PPE.

To give to our Greatest Needs Fund, go to: uclahealth.org/covid19donate.

Our COVID-19 hotline is open every day, from 7am – 7pm. The number is 310-267-3300. Calls received outside of business hours will be returned the following business day.

California is under a Stay at Home Order currently, which orders all individuals living in the State of California to stay home or at their place of residence, except as needed to maintain continuity of operation of the federal critical infrastructure sectors. This Order  could change at any time. Please visit the Stay at Home Order page for updates.

The CDC has reported that it is aware of on a small number of pets, including cats and dogs, reported to be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with people with COVID-19. For more on animal care and developments, visit the CDC Animal Care page.

There is no evidence the coronavirus survives in well-maintained swimming pools and hot tubs, however physical distance advice still applies. If you’re planning to go to the pool, stay away from other people. For more information about pool safety, visit the CDC’s guidance on aquatic venues.

UCLA Health encourages patients to closely follow the Los Angeles Safer at Home Order and check the Safer at Home website for any updates. Travel is permitted under the order for medical appointments, caring for family members, going to the grocery store or pharmacy, and doing other essential business. If you live in another county, please visit the California Dept of Public Health or your county website for more information.

The California COVID-19 website features the latest information on COVID-19 in the state, including guidelines for the Stay-at-Home order.

Here’s an in-depth back-to-school package that includes information and advice on school safety, supporting your child’s social and emotional development, nutrition and more.