Stay home. Stay safe.
This isn’t going anywhere if you go everywhere
“Oftentimes people ask me the question—what can I do to help? The most critical thing you could possibly do for your country, for the health care workers on the frontlines and for the health of your community is to stay home. Stay at home, stay with your family, stay strong, stay together. We will get you through all of this if we all do our part.”
— Rod Hochman, M.D., president and CEO of Providence, leading the care for 5 million patients each year, including many of the first coronavirus patients in the US.
What You Need to Know: COVID-19 Basics
COVID-19 is believed to spread mainly from person-to-person and between people in close contact with one another. The virus is thought to spread through respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms include fever, cough and difficulty breathing. A health care provider can give you instructions for seeking care, including options for testing, while minimizing the risk of exposing others. You can locate a provider near you at Providence.org.
Protect yourself and get care virtually
Use our new online coronavirus assessment tool. We developed this “chat” tool to help you assess your risk and to connect you with a provider virtually if you are at a higher risk for the virus.
Coronavirus Assessment ToolGet treatment from the comfort of your home with Providence Express Care Virtual. Our board-certified health professionals can treat and diagnose by online video. We’re available 7 days a week, with extended hours. Most insurance accepted, uninsured self-pay rate $49.
Get Care Virtually
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after you have been in a public place. Use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol, if soap and water aren’t available.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash (putting a tissue on a table contaminates the surface of the table with germs).
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Stay home.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Take extra precautions to reduce the likelihood of exposure, if you are at a higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19.
This public-education video about the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is under 9 minutes and delivers information in easy-to-understand language on what COVID-19 is, its symptoms, and ways to prepare and protect yourself, loved ones and communities.
There are several things you should do if you are sick or think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, and have a fever or respiratory illness (cough or shortness of breath):
- Stay home if you are sick or believe you have been exposed to the virus, even if you aren’t showing any symptoms.
- Avoid public areas and transportation.
- Call your health care provider or schedule a Virtual Visit first and before coming into the doctor’s office or emergency department.
- Avoid coming to the emergency department, unless you have a health emergency and/or you have been advised by your health care provider to do so. This helps prevent the risk of spreading COVID-19 infection.
- Separate yourself from other people and animals as much as possible, while you are sick.
- Wear a face mask, if you are sick.
- Monitor yourself for fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
- Take the same precautions you would if you had the common cold or flu (e.g., wash your hands frequently).
For more guidance, please visit the CDC website.
The CDC has the most current information about the virus and is routinely updating its online resources.
You can also learn how your state’s department of public health is responding to the situation:
From Our Experts
Important information and updates from our experts and researchers.
Honor Our Frontline Caregivers
Honor Our Frontline Caregivers
Thank you to all caregivers
We want to thank all the frontline healthcare workers that have been actively helping in this crisis. We, and our patients, want you to know that we are grateful for all our heroes, the medical and support teams working around the clock to help in this time of need. We asked people to send thank you messages and this is where you can see them.
News & Information
Fighting coronavirus, COVID-19
Fighting coronavirus, COVID-19
Join us as we respond to significant needs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you are able, we invite you to donate to any of several areas of need:
- COVID-19 Response: Support poor and vulnerable persons, our efforts to obtain and produce personal protective equipment, and offset treatment costs for the pandemic.
- Research: Significant data analysis and research underway to understand this virus.
- Helping Hands Fund: For Providence caregivers (employees) financially affected by this crisis.
Stay@Home: Resources to Help You Cope
Working from home requires a different mindset. Learning how to homeschool kids requires new skills. Maintaining a healthy diet requires discipline. In the tabs below, we hope you find some inspiration.
Embracing a new work style and staying productive at home can be challenging and stressful. Set routines. Establish a dedicated office space. Connect with colleagues and friends through video. We’ll get through this together.
Keeping kids engaged can be difficult. We are all teachers now – not the profession, but conceptually. We – parents, relatives, neighbors, friends – are stepping up to help elevate the next generation. Our goal is to provide you with the resources to help guide your way.
The potential to compromise what we feed our bodies is heightened during stressful situations. It’s important to monitor your eating habits, and strive to keep a balanced diet. We’ve gathered some tips to help you keep up a healthy eating routine.
Wellness Resources for Patients and our Communities
We understand the stress the COVID-19 pandemic is having on our communities and the impact quarantine may be having on your mental and physical health. Whether it’s tips on working from home, the importance of physical exercise, the value of community and so much more, we're connecting you to resources to help you through this challenging time.
