Coronavirus Updates

Coronavirus Updates

Helpful Information

Broward Health is committed to the health and wellness of the community. We are closely monitoring coronavirus disease developments. Our goal is to ensure the safety of all patients and visitors.

Click here to read more in-depth how we are supporting the community

Click here to read an update on elective surgeries.

FAQS: MOST COMMON | BROWARD HEALTH SERVICES | PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

Important Numbers: Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Caller Center: 866-779-6121

If you’ve been tested for Covid-19 at the Broward Health mobile site, please call 954.759.7500 for your result. Our caregivers are standing by.

Visitor Information:

With the rising number of COVID-19 positive cases in Florida, visitation is suspended for patients receiving inpatient, surgical and emergency care, effective Friday, July 3 and until further notice. Broward Health remains committed to ensuring the safety of our caregivers and patients, and our healthcare system stands ready and prepared to care for our community.

We will continue offering surgical and medical procedures based on medical need while taking all measures to help limit the spread of COVID-19.
Maternity, pediatric and end of life visitation remain:

  • Postpartum maternity patients are allowed one father/support person to stay the entire stay. We discourage the father/support person leaving and coming back to the hospital. No other visitors in labor or postpartum
  • Pediatric and NICU patients are allowed one parent or guardian at a time per 12-hour shift (7 a.m. - 7 p.m., 7 p.m. - 7 a.m.).
  • Patients at the end of life will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

We understand the importance of patients having contact with their loved ones and this role in the healing process. Please encourage patients to utilize technology to facilitate virtual visits via FaceTime, Skype or WhatsApp video calls. iPads are also available.

We also offer free virtual greeting cards, which are printed and delivered to patients. Please encourage loved ones to send free virtual greeting cards.  

Valet service has also been suspended at this time.  We appreciate your cooperation and patience as we strive to maintain a safe environment.

If you suspect you have been exposed, please immediately contact Florida Department of Health, 866-779-6121. You’ll be directed on what to do next.  Please refrain from visiting patients at Broward Health if you have any cold or flu symptoms – even if they’re mild.

Should you need to be tested for COVID-19 and require a prescription, you can now be screened via the BHealthy Now telehealth app. For your safety and well-being, you can stay home and conduct a virtual visit with a board-certified physician specially trained in telehealth. Learn more here.

We encourage all community members to follow Centers for Disease and Control Prevention protocols. These include, washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and using a tissue or the upper sleeve of your shirt to contain a sneeze or cough.

To learn more about COVID-19, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's comprehensive guide.

For CDC pregnancy & breastfeeding Information about COVID-19, click here.

Your cooperation is vital to the ongoing public health response to try and slow the spread of the virus. Thank you.

Update on Elective Surgery

Upon careful review of area hospital utilization and COVID-19 statistics in South Florida, Broward Health is once again taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of our patients, employee family, and medical staff. Effective, Wednesday, July 15, all elective, non-urgent, and non-emergency procedures will be suspended. Same-day emergent procedures will be reviewed on an individual basis until further notice. Appointments will continue for outpatient imaging, labs, physical therapy and rehabilitative services at our locations.

Patients scheduled for elective surgery on or after July 15, 2020, will be contacted by their provider. If you have questions or concerns, please contact your physician.

Broward Health launched various telemedicine initiatives earlier this month to ensure continuity of care and greater access for the community. Due to innovative technology, patients and community members now have access to:

  • BHealthy Now App offering virtual COVID-19 visits.
  • 24/7 Nurse Connect service offering telephonic access to nurses.
  • Telemedicine technology for inpatient medical visits.
  • iPads and virtual platforms to keep hospital patients connected to loved ones.

Broward Health is committed to providing high-quality care to all those we serve. To speak with a registered nurse, call our Nurse Connect line at 954-320-5730. For the latest updates on COVID-19 and Broward Health, visit Browardhealth.org.

Coronavirus Frequently Asked Questions

WHERE CAN I BE TESTED FOR COVID-19?

 

 

To help ensure the health and wellness of our community during the COVID-19 pandemic, Broward Health is extending mobile, drive-through testing for our community*. We are dedicated to caring for you and safeguarding our community. Please see instructions below.

To meet criteria, individuals must be:

  • Prescreened and meet CDC and DOH testing guidelines
  • Prequalified with a prescription (If you need a prescription, download the BHealthy Now app for a Telehealth visit) or call 954.320.5730 to speak with a nurse for free through Nurse Connect. 
  • Preregistered through our call center

Things you must bring:

  • Proper ID required inclusive of name, date of birth, and photo
    (can be ONE of the following):
    - FL Drivers License
    - State-issued ID
    - Passport
  • Patient confirmation number from our call center

By appointment only. To register, call 954.320.5730 from 8am-4:30pm to receive further instruction.

Location:
Annie L. Weaver Health Center
2011 NW 3rd Avenue, Pompano Beach, FL 33060
(Parking lot behind OMNI auditorium)

*While supplies last. Results are NOT immediate

If you are suffering from shortness of breath and need immediate assistance, please dial 911 or visit your local Emergency Department.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT MY TEST RESULTS?

If you’ve been tested for COVID-19 at the Broward Health mobile site, please call 954.759.7500 for your result. Our caregivers are standing by.

WHAT IS THE VISITATION POLICY

With the rising number of COVID-19 positive cases in Florida, visitation is suspended for patients receiving inpatient, surgical and emergency care, effective Friday, July 3 and until further notice. Broward Health remains committed to ensuring the safety of our caregivers and patients, and our healthcare system stands ready and prepared to care for our community.

We will continue offering surgical and medical procedures based on medical need while taking all measures to help limit the spread of COVID-19.
Maternity, pediatric and end of life visitation remain:

  • Postpartum maternity patients are allowed one father/support person to stay the entire stay. We discourage the father/support person leaving and coming back to the hospital. No other visitors in labor or postpartum.
  • Pediatric and NICU patients are allowed one parent or guardian at a time per 12-hour shift (7 a.m. - 7 p.m., 7 p.m. - 7 a.m.).
  • Patients at the end of life will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

We understand the importance of patients having contact with their loved ones and this role in the healing process. Please encourage patients to utilize technology to facilitate virtual visits via FaceTime, Skype or WhatsApp video calls. iPads are also available.

We also offer free virtual greeting cards, which are printed and delivered to patients. Please encourage loved ones to send free virtual greeting cards.  

HOW TO DONATE BLOOD PLASMA

Potential donors and medical professionals should go to oneblood.org/covid19 to learn more and pre-register. Questions should be directed to 888-9Donate, (888-936-6283) and select option 9.

WHO IS AT HIGHER RISK?

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.

Broward Health Services

WILL I STILL BE ABLE TO ATTEND A BROWARD HEALTH CLASS, LECTURE OR EVENT?

Broward Healthy events, lectures and classes are on a limited or virtual schedule. Please check individual times.

WILL MY ELECTIVE SURGERY BE CANCELED?

Upon careful review of area hospital utilization and COVID-19 statistics in South Florida, Broward Health is once again taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of our patients, employee family, and medical staff. Effective, Wednesday, July 15, all elective, non-urgent, and non-emergency procedures will be suspended. Same-day emergent procedures will be reviewed on an individual basis until further notice. Appointments will continue for outpatient imaging, labs, physical therapy and rehabilitative services at our locations.

Patients scheduled for elective surgery on or after July 15, 2020, will be contacted by their provider. If you have questions or concerns, please contact your physician.

Broward Health launched various telemedicine initiatives earlier this month to ensure continuity of care and greater access for the community. Due to innovative technology, patients and community members now have access to:

  • BHealthy Now App offering virtual COVID-19 visits.
  • 24/7 Nurse Connect service offering telephonic access to nurses.
  • Telemedicine technology for inpatient medical visits.
  • iPads and virtual platforms to keep hospital patients connected to loved ones.

Broward Health is committed to providing high-quality care to all those we serve. To speak with a registered nurse, call our Nurse Connect line at 954-320-5730. For the latest updates on COVID-19 and Broward Health, visit Browardhealth.org.

WILL MY SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT AT BROWARD HEALTH BE CANCELED?

To confirm the status of an appointment, please call Broward Health Scheduling at (954) 759-7500.

WILL I BE ABLE TO VALET PARK?

At this time, valet services have been suspended.

Preventative Measures

HOW TO STAY HEALTHY?

Now is the perfect time to improve your immune system in order to fight off infections, such as COVID-19. Our medical professionals recommend getting healthier. You can exercise, manage your cholesterol and blood pressure, and eat more fruits and vegetables. 

Beyond the traditional hand hygiene, which is incredibly important, lifestyle changes that all of us could make at this point is to get healthier according to Joshua Lenchus, D.O., chief medical officer at Broward Health Medical Center.

 

 

WHY AM I BEING ASKED A SERIES OF SCREENING QUESTIONS BEFORE ENTERING BROWARD HEALTH?

Broward Health is committed to the health and wellness of our community. This added safety measure is to safeguard our patients, visitors and to protect our caregivers from the spread of COVID-19.

HOW DOES COVID-19 SPREAD?

The virus that causes COVID-19 probably emerged from an animal source, but now it seems to be spreading from person to person. It’s important to note that person-to-person spread can happen on a continuum. Some diseases are highly contagious (like measles), while other diseases are less so. At this time, it’s unclear how easily or sustainably the virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading between people. Learn what is known about the spread of newly emerged coronaviruses at here.

Person-to-person spread

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

  • Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
  •  Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Can someone spread the virus without being sick?

  • People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest).
  • Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; there have been reports of this occurring with this new coronavirus, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

Spread from contact with contaminated surfaces or objects
It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

How easily the virus spreads
How easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily), like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily. Another factor is whether the spread is sustained, spreading continually without stopping.

The virus that causes COVID-19 seems to be spreading easily and sustainably in the community (“community spread”) in some affected geographic areas.

HOW CAN I HELP PROTECT MYSELF?

We encourage all community members to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocols. These include, washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and using a tissue or the upper sleeve of your shirt to contain a sneeze or cough. The CDC also recommends individuals practice social distancing and avoid close contact with people who may be sick. You are also advised per federal and state officials to not participate in any group encounters with more than 10 people.

There are simple everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses.
These include:

Touching faceclose contactWashing your hands   

IF YOU ARE SICK, TO KEEP FROM SPREADING RESPIRATORY ILLNESS TO OTHERS, YOU SHOULD

Staying home Cover your cough clean surfaces

Stay home except to get medical care

  • Stay home: People who are mildly ill with COVID-19 are able to isolate at home during their illness. You should restrict activities outside your home, except for getting medical care.

  • Avoid public areas: Do not go to work, school, or public areas.

  • Avoid public transportation: Avoid using public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.

Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home

  • Stay away from others: As much as possible, you should stay in a specific room and away from other people in your home. Also, you should use a separate bathroom, if available.


  • Limit contact with pets & animals: You should restrict contact with pets and other animals while you are sick with COVID-19, just like you would around other people. Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that people sick with COVID-19 limit contact with animals until more information is known about the virus.


  • When possible, have another member of your household care for your animals while you are sick. If you are sick with COVID-19, avoid contact with your pet, including petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, and sharing food. If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with pets and wear a facemask.