Coronavirus Resource Hub

Scheduled surgical procedures

An update for our patients

We would like to update you about our decision to thoughtfully reintroduce elective surgeries at our facility. Our commitment to safety protocols has us uniquely prepared to reintroduce services, and we remain vigilant when it comes to sanitation, screening, visitor restrictions, masking, as well as guidelines from the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Read our frequently asked questions

Find out your COVID-19 risk

Concerned about whether you have COVID-19? We can help you take the first step.

Use our free screening tool below to assess your risk and receive the most appropriate care recommendations based on your symptoms.

Start your COVID-19 screening now

Visitor policy

As COVID-19 continues to be a risk to the general public, HCA East Florida remains committed to taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety of patients and staff.

Learn more about our visitor policy

COVID-19 positive? Donate blood

COVID-19 convalescent plasma is an emergency treatment to help critically ill coronavirus patients.

OneBlood, a not-for-profit blood donation center, is collecting COVID-19 convalescent plasma from people who have recovered from the coronavirus infection so it can be transfused to people with life-threatening COVID-19 in hopes of saving lives.

Latest COVID-19 blogs

COVID-19 testing basics

September 02, 2020

Here is some information on how the different types of COVID-19 tests work and who should be tested.

Parenting and coronavirus: Caring for children during COVID-19

May 28, 2020

Should your child go to their doctor’s appointment? Here’s what you need to know about caring for your child during the coronavirus pandemic, including when to get them checked for COVID-19 and more.

COVID-19 Screening Tool

Learn more about Coronavirus (COVID-19)

About Coronavirus

With coronavirus (COVID-19), the safety of Highlands Regional Medical Center patients and visitors remains our top priority. We regularly treat patients with infectious diseases and our clinical teams are highly trained in infection prevention protocols. Highlands Regional Medical Center is closely monitoring COVID-19 developments in partnership with our local and state health departments and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

Fever

Fatigue, weakness

Shortness of breath

Muscle aches

Cough (typically dry)

Loss of taste or smell

Sore throat (sometimes)

Headache (sometimes)

Stuffy / runny nose (rare)

Nausea or vomiting

Diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. We will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.

What can I do to protect myself and others?

Public health officials recommend the following steps to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including influenza and COVID-19:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth

Stay home when you are sick

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue

Practice good hand hygiene by washing your hands often, using either soap and water or alcohol-based hand gel for at least 20 seconds

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

Frequently asked questions

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, is a new respiratory disease thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

This list does not include all possible symptoms. We will continue to update this list as we learn more about COVID-19.

Who is at risk for COVID-19?

Currently, those at greatest risk of infection are persons who have had prolonged, unprotected close contact with a patient with symptomatic, confirmed COVID-19 and/or those who live in or have recently been to areas with sustained transmission.

When and how is someone infectious?

The onset and period of infectiousness for COVID-19 are not yet known. Current study suggests that the incubation period may range from 2–14 days. The virus is now spreading from person-to-person, between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

What is the source of the virus?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some cause illness in people, and others only infect animals. Rarely, animal coronaviruses that infect animals have emerged to infect people and then spread between people. This is suspected to have occurred for the virus that causes COVID-19.

What precautions should I be taking?

Stay home when you feel sick and avoid close contact with others who are sick.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose or mouth, because this is where viruses can enter.
Always cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw that tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects.

What should I do if I get a fever?

If you are experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough or difficulty breathing – or if you have travelled to an area affected by the current strain of coronavirus – please let your physician know immediately.

Are the symptoms of COVID-19 different in children than in adults?

No, the symptoms of COVID-19 are similar in children and adults. However, children with confirmed COVID-19 have generally presented with mild symptoms similar to a cold, including fever, runny nose and cough. Vomiting and diarrhea have also been reported. Based on available evidence, children do not appear to be at any higher risk or more susceptible to COVID-19 than adults. While some children and infants have been sick with COVID-19, infections in children are less common and adults make up most of the known cases to date.

How can I get tested for COVID-19?

Patients without symptoms or with mild to moderate symptoms will likely not be tested for the virus. A positive test does not change the course of the illness. It’s important to keep in mind that there is no treatment for COVID-19 and people who are mildly ill should self- isolate, practice social distancing and care for themselves at home.

You might be tested for COVID-19 if you meet the criteria established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Currently, the CDC advises that clinicians should determine whether to order a test based on specific parameters. COVID-19 tests are not intended to be an assessment of your risk, but rather to confirm cases in symptomatic patients. If you are worried but don’t have symptoms, please stay home. Going to a doctor’s office or hospital adds to a higher concentration of people and further overwhelms the medical staff.

What are your facilities doing to prepare and treat patients?

Our facilities deal with communicable diseases on a daily basis and we will continue to take precautionary measures as we always have. We have strong protocols in place and are following all guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure a safe environment.

Every patient, visitor and vendor is screened outside of our primary lobbies, ER entrances and loading docks.
Points of entry to our facilities have been limited.
As we often do during heavy influenza outbreaks, visitor restrictions have been instituted in patient care areas.
We have done, and continue to do, deep cleaning throughout all of our care sites.
Our Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has been activated to coordinate daily communication and response across all of our hospitals.

Is it safe to go to the hospital?

Our facility is a safe place to seek care, no matter what your health need. Since well before the declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic, our facilities have taken measures to create a safe environment. Now, as ever, we have strong protocols in place and are following all guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Along with many other precautions, we have been proactive and ready with all supplies related to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including masks, gowns and any resources necessary for precautionary isolation of symptomatic patients. The safety of our patients is and always has been our first priority and we will continue to provide safe, effective, patient-centered care.

Where can I get more information about COVID-19?

The CDC has a robust website and also houses responses to commonly asked questions on their website.

Latest information regarding Coronavirus

Facebook

CDC’s COVID-19 hub

Plasma donation questionnaire

Determine your eligibility and locate a plasma donation site nearest you.

Donor Questionnaire

Recent news

Visit our newsroom for more information on Coronavirus related news.

Latest COVID-19 news

Coronavirus Resource Hub

We are here to assure your safety and well-being while in our facilities. To learn more about our safety measures or if you have questions about COVID-19, call (833) 582-1974.

Scheduled surgical procedures

An update for our patients

Find out your COVID-19 risk

Concerned about whether you have COVID-19? We can help you take the first step.

Visitor policy

COVID-19 positive? Donate blood

Latest COVID-19 blogs

COVID-19 testing basics

Parenting and coronavirus: Caring for children during COVID-19

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Questionnaire

Learn more about Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Symptoms and diagnosis

Frequently asked questions

How to help

COVID-19 ASL videos

About Coronavirus

What are the symptoms?

What can I do to protect myself and others?

Stay up-to-date

Frequently asked questions

What is COVID-19?

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Who is at risk for COVID-19?

When and how is someone infectious?

What is the source of the virus?

What precautions should I be taking?

What should I do if I get a fever?

Are the symptoms of COVID-19 different in children than in adults?

How can I get tested for COVID-19?

What are your facilities doing to prepare and treat patients?

Is it safe to go to the hospital?

Where can I get more information about COVID-19?

Latest information regarding Coronavirus

Plasma donation questionnaire

Recent news