Coronavirus (COVID-19) Home Care Instructions

Updated: March 18, 2020

You have either been diagnosed with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) or may have the virus based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Guidelines. This includes patients evaluated in an outpatient setting who do not require hospitalization (i.e., patients who are medically stable and can receive care at home) or patients who are discharged home following a hospitalization with confirmed COVID-19 infection.

Follow the steps below until a healthcare provider or public health department says you can return to normal activities.

Follow These Directions Carefully

1. Stay at home except for when receiving medical care.
2. Call ahead before visiting your doctor and let them know you have or are being evaluated for coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
3. Wear a face mask when you are around other people and going to a medical appointment or the hospital.
4. Cover your coughs and sneezes with tissues, then immediately wash your hands. Do not cough into your elbow.
5. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60% to 95% alcohol. Be certain to cover all the surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
6. Do not share household items with family members or friends. This includes glasses, plates, utensils, bed linens, towels, and hand towels.
7. Separate yourself from your family and animals.
8. Clean all frequently touched surfaces daily with anti-bacterial/anti-germicidal solutions such as Clorox or Lysol.
9. Monitor your symptoms and report to emergency room if your fever exceeds 103° F or if you have difficulty breathing.
10. Home isolation may last as long as 14 days and will be lifted by your healthcare provider or the local health department.

Return to the facility immediately or contact your doctor if you experience any of the following:

• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion or inability to arouse
• Bluish lips or face

More information from the CDC

• Interim Guidance for Implementing Home Care of People Not Requiring Hospitalization for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• Interim Guidance for Preventing the Spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Homes and Residential Communities (2019, February, 14)