COVID-19 Information for the Community

COVID-19 is a viral respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China. The first case of COVID-19 in the United States was reported on January 21, 2020, and community spread of COVID-19 has been declared in Northern Virginia.

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases. Symptoms include:

• Cough
• Fever
• Shortness of breath

According to the CDC, symptoms of COVID-19 may present in as few as two days or in as many as 14 days after exposure. Illness can be more serious for older adults, individuals with compromised immune systems or those with existing respiratory problems.

You should only come to the hospital if you are having difficulty breathing or have flu-like symptoms that are not improving. Call your provider before coming to the hospital for guidance on what you should do next. If you are directed to come to the hospital or an outpatient clinic, please call ahead and put on a facemask before leaving your home.

Yes, please call your doctor for their procedures on testing after a clinical assessment.

Yes, Inova evaluates all patients and ensures necessary testing is conducted while preserving the capability to continue sustained testing. Inova follows Centers for Disease Control and Virginia Department of Health guidelines.  

No, at this time Inova does not offer drive-thru screening and testing.  Inova has explored drive-thru testing, however due to limited testing kits available nationwide, Inova evaluates all patients and ensures necessary testing is conducted while preserving the capability to continue sustained testing.

As always, if you develop symptoms of a respiratory infection, you should:

• Be aware of ways to manage respiratory symptoms 
• Seek advice from your regular healthcare provider to determine if a medical evaluation is needed 
• Contact a local urgent care center or emergency room if you feel it is an emergency and you cannot wait. Ask for instructions regarding accessing the facility.
• Inform the operator of your COVID-19 concern if you call 911
• Practice “social distancing” by avoiding mass gatherings and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet) from others when possible

Inova Health System has suspended all in-person visitation as of Saturday, March 21, 2020 at 8 p.m.

Community organizations and members have been called to action to encourage social distancing and prevent the continual spread of COVID-19. We are taking this action to provide the highest level of care for our patients, while keeping our team members and community safe. We encourage video meetings between patients and loved ones.

Limited Exceptions

Inova Health System recognizes that a family member, caregiver, or visitor may be crucial for clinical and patient care. We allow visitors for:

• End-of-life situations.
• Patients with conditions such as altered mental status, developmental delays, special communication needs or those who have designated a spokesperson, where a caregiver and/or care companion provides safety and enhances the ability to communicate effectively with the care team. That patient may have one visitor.
• One person may accompany a patient to a hospital or clinic for an outpatient appointment.
• One person may accompany a patient to an Urgent Care Center or Emergency Room (ER) visit.
• Please review additional visitation guidance from Inova Children’s Hospital and Women’s Services below.
• Visitation will not be allowed for suspected or confirmed patients with COVID-19 except for end-of-life situations. Visitors will require temperature screening and appropriate donning of PPE. 

All visitors entering an Inova Health System Care Site will undergo a screening and a temperature check. Individuals answering yes to the screening questions will be asked to postpone their visit. Visitors with a temperature equal or greater than 100.0 degrees F will be advised to contact their medical provider and return when they are symptom-free.

Family members or friends will not be allowed to wait in lobbies or common areas such as chapels, cafeterias, food courts, banks or any other area within the care site.

Care sites will determine optimal implementation of Inova Health System’s Visitation Guidance.

Exceptions to Inova Health System’s Visitation Guidance can be made in extenuating circumstances and with prior approval from a care site’s administration.

Our visitation guidance remains in effect until further notice.

See Also:

Visitor Restrictions: Women’s and Childbirth Services at all Inova Hospitals

Visitor Restrictions: Inova Children's Hospital

• Inova has been preparing for COVID-19 for months and continues to review, revise and implement all infection prevention and control measures established by the CDC and state/local health agencies to provide care in the safest of environments.
• All clinical care providers will wear a surgical mask when caring for patients.
• All Inova team members will participate in twice daily symptom and temperature checks.
• Clinical care providers will use social distancing and technology to help minimize close contact.
• We are screening all patients and visitors at registration/check-in or by phone prior to their entry at our facilities and we are taking appropriate action.
• Potential COVID-19 patients are given face masks and placed into isolation immediately.
• Patients with infectious diseases remain isolated in their room at all times. Treatment comes to them.  
• The equipment used to care for these patients is not shared with any other patient.
• Our team members treat respiratory viruses and infectious diseases every day while keeping our patients, visitors and themselves safe.

Inova Blood Donor Services has experienced great community support combined with low usage, which means our community’s blood supply is doing well right now. However, this could change. The need for blood is continual and the supply changes daily depending on collections and patient needs. Additionally, donated blood has a shelf life of 42 days and donated platelets have a shelf life of 5 days.

Sign up to donate blood

Inova Blood Donor Services needs donors to sign up now for an appointment to donate blood during the next six weeks at a Donor Center location.

With community support over the coming weeks, we can work together to continue to maintain a safe, pure, potent and steady blood supply. The need for blood never goes away.

• Infection prevention for any illness begins with good personal hygiene practices including hand washing (20 seconds with soap and water), disinfecting work and food preparation surfaces, minimizing touching your face and avoiding close proximity with anyone who is ill and exhibiting symptoms. Consider acknowledging people verbally instead of shaking hands or hugging, and be mindful of infection due to opening doors, pressing elevator buttons, using the telephone and handling menus at restaurants.
• It is not too late to get a flu vaccine. It is still flu season and Virginia is currently considered widespread in the state. This vaccine will not protect you from COVID-19, but the flu is currently a greater threat to the public than COVID-19.
• There is no need for individuals in the general public to wear facial masks. Individuals who are sick with respiratory symptoms should stay home. If you must leave home for any reason, including to receive medical care, wear a facemask if you have one, or cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. Wash your hands often to keep from spreading illness to other. A mask will help prevent an ill person from spreading the virus, but will not protect a healthy person from exposure.
• Get the pneumonia vaccine if you are eligible. This is recommended for adults 65 and older, individuals between 2 and 26 with certain health conditions and adults 19-64 who smoke cigarettes. This vaccine does not protect you from COVID-19 but will lower your risk of bacterial infection.
• The CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to numerous countries. The State Department announced a "Level 4: Do Not Travel" advisory warning U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel. Individuals who have chronic medical conditions should consider postponing non-essential travel to most global destinations. For more travel guidelines, check the CDC website.
• Create an emergency plan of action. Public health officials may recommend community actions based on the severity of a pandemic outbreak that will limit exposure, such as avoiding large gatherings. Develop a household plan to ensure preparedness based on your daily needs and routine, including food and supplies, care arrangements for children, elders and pets, and assuring you have enough critical prescription medications.

Times like this reinforce that your dedication to Inova allows us to provide world-class care every day no matter what the situation – we are most grateful.

For ways to help, please reference our website.