COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions

Coronaviruses are in the same virus family as the common cold, typically causing mild symptoms. The new strain of coronavirus, 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) was first reported in Wuhan, China. Watch this video or see the CDC website for more information.

The potential benefits of using steroids in patients with COVID-19 has been reported in various news outlets recently. The information is based on results from a clinical study called the RECOVERY (Randomized Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy) trial. It’s important to understand that the study only included hospitalized patients. The use of the steroid dexamethasone was only shown to reduce the rates of death in patients requiring ventilators or supplemental oxygen. There was no benefit in patients who did not need respiratory support.

Until more data is available, we won’t know if the use of steroids in non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients could lead to potential harm without potential benefits. Prescription medications should never be used without a doctor’s prescription. If you have additional concerns and questions about COVID-19, or you have symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider.

Yes. If you need care, don’t hesitate to call your doctor’s office or contact them through My Health Online. Our employees and healthcare teams are ready to serve you and look forward to providing care, either in person or by Video Visit.

If you have a chronic condition like diabetes or have needs related to ongoing treatment, don’t wait to contact your care team for appointments. Delaying care can be dangerous. To avoid unwanted outcomes and complications, call your doctor’s office or send your care team a message through My Health Online.

To reduce the risk of spread, we’re taking extra precautions at our sites, including universal masking, physical distancing, temperature screening of our workforce and visitors, and enhanced cleaning.

We’re reopening services with a phased, safety-first approach. We’ll continue to monitor personal protective equipment (PPE) inventory and testing capability. And we remain prepared for a surge if the number of COVID-19 patients begins to increase again. We know you’re eager to reschedule deferred procedures and care, and we want you to know that we’re here to care for you.

We’re canceling and rescheduling some non-urgent appointments to protect our high-risk populations. Please contact your care center prior to your appointment.

Sutter Health is committed to the health and safety of our communities. If you’re concerned about COVID-19 infection and are enrolled in a clinical trial or research study at Sutter Health, contact the study coordinator or speak to your doctor before your next study-related visit, procedure or treatment.

Our full portfolio of clinical trials may not be available due to the pandemic. Enrollment to a clinical trial at Sutter will only be considered when standard-of-care options are unavailable, or if clinical trial participation is deemed necessary for patient care. Please contact clinicalresearch@sutterhealth.org for more details on open, enrolling studies at this time.

Sutter has partnered with Vitalant to offer investigational treatment for eligible patients with severe COVID-19 using convalescent plasma. View clinical trials.

We’re taking lots of precautions to keep you safe. Before your appointment, you’ll be screened by phone. When you arrive, you’ll be screened again and given a mask.

Contact-free check in is also available through My Health Online. Activate this feature in your My Health Online app by using the E-Z Arrival option before your appointment. The app will notify our staff that you’ve arrived, so you can limit or skip time in the waiting areas.

We’re also taking measures beyond screening in all our care centers. Anyone will COVID-19 symptoms is isolated, every exam room is disinfected thoroughly between patients, and we’re using physical distancing protocols everywhere possible.

Sutter hospitals, outpatient clinics and doctors’ office are taking the following safety measures to protect patients, staff and communities: 

• We are screening at entrances.
• Visitors are limited to help protect patients, staff and providers.
• Masks are required and provided for everyone entering any Sutter building.
• Lobbies and waiting areas are modified for physical distancing.
• Extra cleaning of every exam room between patients.
• We’re isolating patients with respiratory symptoms from the general population.

Sutter is committed to the health and well-being of our patients, caregivers and community. During the COVID-19 public health emergency, we’re taking extra precautions to reduce the risk of the spread of the disease. It’s critical that we protect vulnerable patients in our hospitals, as well as our healthcare workers and providers. Visitors could pass the virus on to staff and patients, even when they aren’t showing symptoms of the illness. Therefore, we’re continuing to restrict all visitors from our hospitals.

We’re allowing the partners of laboring persons in the delivery room, and visitors in end-of-life situations. We’ll also allow support for minors and people with disabilities. If you want to visit a patient, please consider contacting them by telephone or videoconference. We thank you for understanding and appreciate your help with protecting patients and staff.

Sutter is following CDC guidelines on who should be tested for COVID-19. Generally speaking, it includes patients with these key risk factors or symptoms:

1. Older adults and people who are immunocompromised or have serious chronic medical conditions like heart disease, diabetes and lung disease.

2. Individuals with one or more of the following symptoms:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

If you meet the criteria for testing, a specimen will be collected at a Sutter testing site and sent to a lab for analysis. If the result is positive, your provider will arrange for appropriate care.

If you think you have COVID-19 symptoms, contact your doctor, schedule a Video Visit or call our COVID-19 Advice Line at (866) 961-2889 from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. Sutter also has designated respiratory clinics across Northern California where patients can be evaluated in person to see if they meet the criteria for the COVID-19 test.

All patients admitted to a Sutter hospital will be tested for COVID-19.

A PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test is the most common type of test used to determine whether a person has COVID-19. A healthcare provider administers a PCR test by taking a nose or throat swab from a patient, processing the sample in a machine, and then looking for indications of COVID-19 infection. At Sutter, most specimens will be collected by nasal swab.

Learn more about COVID-19 testing.

For patients outside the hospital setting, Sutter offers designated respiratory sites where patients can be evaluated by a clinician to see if they meet the criteria for the COVID-19 test. There are respiratory clinics in the San Francisco Bay Area, and designated urgent care clinics in the Sacramento Valley Area.

Testing Locations (Specimen Collection Sites) – There are collection locations primarily at urgent care locations throughout Sutter’s Northern California service area.

Patients are asked to call a phone number from their car. Then staff will provide guidance and coordinate collecting a test sample.

Respiratory Clinics – There are respiratory clinics currently located within medical office buildings, clinics, parking garages or tents:

• Many offer car triage.
• Some require an appointment (a doctor’s note is required for all testing).
• All of these locations also offer test collection (a doctor’s note is required for all testing).

An antibody test may help identify people who have had or been exposed to the COVID-19 virus, including individuals who didn’t show any symptoms. This type of blood test detects the presence of antibodies produced by the immune system in response to COVID-19 infection. Antibody tests may be used to complement PCR tests in certain circumstances.

Find out more about COVID-19 antibody testing.

A PCR test shows whether a person is currently infected. An antibody test indicates whether a person has antibodies for COVID-19 because they’ve been exposed to the virus or previously infected.

If you’ve had a positive COVID-19 test or were diagnosed with COVID-19 by a healthcare provider, you may be eligible for an antibody test at a Sutter facility. Contact your doctor’s office for more information.

At Sutter, antibody tests are used to help validate a positive COVID-19 diagnosis determined by PCR testing. Antibody tests are also used to determine whether a patient recovering from a COVID-19 infection is eligible to donate plasma if they’re interested in doing so. “Convalescent plasma” may be used as investigational treatment for people with severe COVID-19. Learn more.

Note that U.S. federal and California state laws require that COVID-19 antibody tests be performed at licensed clinical laboratories.

A positive antibody test shows a person has been exposed to or previously infected with COVID-19.

There’s no evidence yet that people with detectable COVID-19 antibodies are immune to re-infection. Until more research is available, a positive antibody test should not be used to make decisions related to easing physical distancing or the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Sutter will not collect patient cost shares (e.g., a copay, deductible and co-insurance) in advance of providing services for medically necessary COVID-19 screening and test collection administered at Sutter care centers.

Yes, all patients and visitors must wear masks or personal face coverings over their nose and mouth when they're in a public or common area of a Sutter facility and whenever they're within six feet of another person, with limited exceptions. If you don’t have a personal face covering or mask, we’ll provide a procedure mask for you.

Sutter continues to update our COVID-19 response efforts based on the best available information. COVID-19 is prevalent in our communities and can be spread unknowingly by people that don’t have any symptoms. In addition, many counties have implemented mandatory Health Orders requiring members of the public to be masked at all times in public settings. Our priority continues to be the health and safety of our patients and staff, and these new masking procedures help support safe care.

Yes, certain individuals are not required to wear a mask:

• Anyone who has trouble breathing or has been advised not to wear a mask.
• Anyone who is incapacitated or can’t remove a mask without assistance.
• Children under the age of 2 (masks are optional for children ages 3 – 12).

Masks are optional for children ages 3 –12. If you choose to have your child wear a mask, you can use a personal cloth mask or use one we provide. Children under the age of 2 should not wear a mask.

Due to COVID-19, we have additional safety efforts in place to protect you, your loved ones and our healthcare providers. You and your support person will need to wear a mask upon arrival and when leaving the hospital. You won't need to wear a mask if you and your support person are alone in a private room. We do ask that you put masks on while our healthcare providers are in the room, though masks are not required during active labor and delivery. We appreciate your help in maintaining safe patient care.