Who is most susceptible to COVID-19?

Older adults and people who have severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease seem to be at higher risk for more serious COVID-19 illness. Early data suggest older people are twice as likely to have serious COVID-19 illness.

What are the symptoms of the Coronavirus, or COVID-19?

Symptoms appear 2-14 days after exposure, and include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

What kind of doctor should I see to get tested?

Your primary care physician will be able to help you. If you don’t have one, visit Find a Doctor for help in finding a doctor near you.

How do I determine if my symptoms are COVID-19?

Call our 24/7 Nurse Line for help in understanding your condition. In the Pittsburgh area call (412) NURSE-4-U. In the Erie area call (814) SAMEDAY.

When should I see my doctor?

Anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to COVID-19, or anyone experiencing fever, cough, or shortness of breath, should contact their primary care physician or healthcare provider immediately.

Contact your doctor, health care provider, or local county health department. They will use CDC guidelines to determine if testing is warranted. There are a few ways that a lab may get a sample for testing. Swab test. A health care provider will use a special swab to take a sample from your nose or throat. Nasal aspirate. A health care provider will inject a saline solution into your nose, then remove the sample with gentle suction. Tracheal aspirate. A health care provider will put a thin, lighted tube called a bronchoscope down your mouth and into your lungs, where a sample will be collected. Sputum test. Sputum is a thick mucus that is coughed up from the lungs. You may be asked to cough up sputum into a special cup, or a special swab may be used to take a sample from your nose. Blood. A health care professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm.

Where can I get tested?

Contact your primary care physician for testing options. Testing is completed at the State Department of Health (DOH) and will be brought into facilities once tests are available. Test results are made available within 24 hours of the State DOH receiving the test kit.

When will a vaccine be available?

No vaccine is currently available. Estimates range between 6-18 months.

Is there a treatment?

There is no antiviral treatment for COVID-19. People people diagnosed with COVID-19 will be provided with care to help relieve symptoms.

Who is most susceptible to COVID-19?

The CDC has not yet identified any factors that would increase an individual’s risk of acquiring COVID-19. However, the very young and elderly, pregnant woman, or people with compromised immunity (i.e., recent surgeries, cancer, etc.) are at higher risk of complications if infected with COVID-19.

How do I schedule an appointment to get tested?

Contact your primary care physician. He or she will complete a travel and exposure screening to help best determine if further testing is required.

I'm sick - should I quarantine myself?

Yes, stay home when you are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect all frequently touched objects and surfaces.

I am pregnant; should I still travel?

CDC recommends avoiding all non-critical travel.

I travel for work, when should I cancel it?

Contact your employer’s Human Resources department for guidelines. CDC recommends avoiding all non-critical travel.

Do I need to purchase face masks?

No, follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask. CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. However, the use of facemasks is crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

Are testing kits available in my local market? If not when will they be available?

COVID-19 testing kits are in limited supply and this issue is being addressed by federal, state, and local officials across the nation.

Will it cost me anything to get a test? (NY State has talked about demanding that co-pays/co-insurance for any visit related to COVID-19 are waived)

Contact your insurance provider for all questions regarding coverage and cost.

Do we know anything more about cases within PA, WV, DE?

You can find out about Coronavirus cases in your community through the CDC and World Health Organization (WHO) websites which are updated daily. (See the “Official Sites” list above.)

COVID-19 Response

You’re hearing a lot about this, everywhere. Below you’ll find what we believe are the most important things to know, to do, and to be prepared for. Knowledge really is safety.

Where do I go if I think I may have Coronavirus?

First, don’t panic. Your symptoms could be allergies, common cold, or flu — but it’s best to be sure. You have a few different options for receiving care. If you’re showing symptoms, such as fever and cough, the safest place to be — for you and for everyone else — is in your home.

Primary Care

Call your doctor’s office or our 24/7 Nurse line first before going to the emergency department or to your physician’s office. In the Pittsburgh or Erie area call (412) NURSE-4-U.

Illustration of a doctor on a digital tablet

Video Visits

Video visits are also available 24/7 with MyChart. This is a great way to avoid leaving home when you are ill and still receive medical assistance. Just log in and select Video Visit.

Illustration of an ambulance light flashing

Emergency & Urgent Care

In case of medical emergency, call 911. That means difficulty breathing or another emergency medical condition. Call the ER so they can prepare for your arrival and limit your exposure to others.

You can also contact one of the following sources with questions; the Allegheny County Health Department at (412) 687-2243, the Erie County Health Department at (814) 451-6700, the Washington County Health Department at (724) 223-4540 or the PA State Department of Health at 1-877-724-3258.

LEARN WHERE TO GO

Safety first: Patients only, no visitors

To protect our patients and care teams from the spread of Coronavirus, we will no longer be allowing visitors into AHN facilities. Recognizing some patients need a little extra love to manage — labor and delivery, NICU, pediatric, and end of life care patients are allowed two visitors.

VIEW VISITATION RESTRICTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

As of early February, AHN has implemented its Pandemic Response Policy including screening protocols established by CDC and DOH, care protocols, instructional signage for patients, screening questions, and outreach to our pre-hospital care providers.

Basics and tips

We learn more about COVID-19 every day including how the virus spreads, who’s more susceptible, and how you can avoid catching it.

LEARN MORE

Care for other conditions

If you are pregnant or have a chronic condition, you probably have a lot of questions on how COVID-19 affects your ongoing care.

LEARN MORE

If you suspect you have it

Discover when you need to quarantine yourself, see a doctor, and get tested. Also learn what happens after you test positive.

LEARN MORE

Ways to help

As we take on the many challenges of Coronavirus (COVID-19), AHN is extremely grateful for the outpouring of support from the community.

LEARN MORE

What if I’m pregnant?

If you’re concerned about yourself, your pregnancy, or your baby during this time, AHN is here to help keep you safe and healthy.

LEARN MORE

Connect with MyChart

Plan ahead—make sure you are all set to have a video visit with a medical professional now, so you don’t have to leave the house if you do get sick.

Providers can now see you 24/7

LOGIN TO MYCHART

Can I go directly to an ER? Do I call first?

In case of emergency contact 911. It is recommended to call the ER or Urgent care facility so they can prepare for your arrival. Mild cases of COVID-19 are often treated symptomatically from home or through outpatient services instead of a visit to an acute care facility.

HOW TO GET HELP

Pittsburgh’s #stayHOMEteam

Even with sports on hold, Pittsburghers still have a team we can all get behind—the #stayHOMEteam. Come together and stay home to support the doctors and nurses, first responders and clinical staff who are fighting against Coronavirus.

JOIN THE #stayHOMEteam

Official sites with information you may find important

Hear the latest about Coronavirus from the experts

Tune in to the latest episodes of the Confronting COVID-19 podcast featuring AHN experts, produced by Highmark Blue Shield and iHeart Production, and hosted by Bonny Diver of iHeartMedia. Get information on signs and symptoms of Coronavirus, how to help keep you and your family healthy, coping with stress and anxiety, and how to make the most of these long days of social distancing.