HOAG URGENT CARE COVID FAQs

Yes. Our Hoag Urgent Care locations provide Covid testing with a medical evaluation. The following tests are available:

• Rapid PCR NAAT (rapid)
• Rapid Antigen (rapid)
• Lab PCR NAAT (not rapid)

A provider will determine the most appropriate test for you based on your need and a medical evaluation.

Hoag Urgent Care utilizes social distancing to keep all of our patients comfortable. Patients with potentially contagious symptoms are quickly moved to an exam room, may wait in their cars or wait at home until the provider is ready for them. Others are being seen via video from their homes. We make every effort to room all patients as soon as possible to reduce the number of people in waiting rooms at all times. Even though we may appear to be empty, we can be experiencing high visit volumes.

Regardless of where you are waiting, please let us know if we can do anything for you while you wait.

Yes. Patients who have been vaccinated and those who have previously had covid are still able to get covid due to new mutations. Many patients who get covid but have been previously vaccinated will have less severe symptoms and better outcomes, including a significantly lower rate for the need for hospitalization, when compared to those who have not been vaccinated.

At Hoag, more than 95% of people with COVID-19 who require hospitalization are unvaccinated individuals. This is partly why we are seeing relatively young and otherwise healthy people coming in very sick: people ages 18-24 are still the most vaccine hesitant group in the country

While we do have flu vaccines, we do not carry the Covid vaccines in the urgent care. If you would like a Covid vaccine, please contact your primary care provider. If you do not have one, please contact one of our hybrid practices and we can help you get in to see one of our primary care providers. View our hybrid practice locations and providers.

• Headache
• Fever
• Acute respiratory illness
• Runny nose
• Headache
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea
• Rash

Covid symptoms have been changing since the first strain and there may be others that are not on this list.

If you have any of COVID symptoms, first, quarantine yourself immediately to avoid infecting others. Then schedule an in-person or video visit at Hoag Urgent Care. If you are having trouble breathing, call 9-1-1.

If you have scheduled an in-person visit with any viral symptoms, please wear a mask as a courtesy to other patients. If you do not have a mask, please ask us for one.

Yes. Your provider will evaluate you to determine if your physical condition is indicative of COVID-19 and if you should get a covid test.

We advise using caution as to where you choose a covid test. Currently there are more than 100 different antibody tests available but only four that have been approved by the FDA. At this time, there appears to be many tests widely available that are not accurate, which may cause someone to prematurely reduce their vigilance in preventing infection.

The symptoms of COVID-19 can be treated and should subside within 14 days. Some people are at high risk for progression to severe COVID‑19 (including hospitalization or death), PAXLOVID may help keep mild-to-moderate COVID from becoming severe. For more information if covid treatment is right for you, please speak to your provider.

COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) is an infectious disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Medically, it is classified as a viral respiratory illness (virus) with a wide spectrum of clinical presentations, ranging from asymptomatic cases to severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), multi-organ failure, and death. The virus primarily infects the respiratory tract, entering cells via the ACE2 receptor. Common symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue, but it can also cause systemic effects such as blood clotting disorders and inflammation. Management includes supportive care, antiviral medications, and speaking to your provider about prevention through vaccination.

To become infected, people generally must be in contact with someone who is contagious. It is possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching an infected surface and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes.

First, much like other acute respiratory infections, the best ways to protect yourself from exposure are:

• Avoid people who have symptoms of acute respiratory infections
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15-20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact (within 6 feet) with people who are sick.
• Stay home as soon as you feel sick and  come in for a flu or a covid test.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and then immediately wash your hands.
• Standard household cleansers and wipes are effective in cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Generally, masks do help to lessen the spread of infection if someone who is actively sick wears one. However, when it comes to COVID-19, it is unknown how effective masks are in preventing people from becoming sick.

1. Make sure the mask has no tears or torn straps.
2. Secure ties properly according to instruction depending on mask style.
3. Do not leave a mask hanging off one ear or hanging around your neck.
4. Remove the mask if the mask gets wet or soiled.
5. To remove the mask safely:
   • Do not touch the front of the mask, as it is contaminated after use.
   • For ear loop masks: remove the mask from the side with your head tilted forward handling only the loops.
   • For tied masks: remove by handling only the ties and untie the bottom tie first and then the top tie.
6. Properly dispose of the mask.
7. Wash your hands before applying and after removing a surgical mask.
8. Do not reuse a mask; toss it after wearing it once.