Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information: What You Need to Know

Please note: If you think you are experiencing signs and/or symptoms related to the coronavirus or believe you have been exposed, please call your health care provider directly.

We continue to coordinate with the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and state public health officials as we take all necessary precautions to prepare us for providing safe care to anyone who presents with COVID-19. Rest assured that there are many leaders and experts from across Newton-Wellesley Hospital and Mass General Brigham who have been working tirelessly to ensure that we have the best possible plans, protocols and resources in place to protect patients, colleagues and our community. Here’s what you need to know: 

How do I know if I should be evaluated for coronavirus?

Please call your health care provider in any of the below situations:

• If you develop a fever and cough or shortness of breath.
• If you have had close contact with anyone who has been confirmed or suspected to have COVID-19.

The CDC believes at this time that symptoms of the new coronavirus may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure.

If you are an established Mass General Brigham patient with a primary care provider, we recommend you contact your provider’s office by phone or via Patient Gateway if you have symptoms that may indicate exposure to COVID-19 or if you believe you may have been exposed. If you are an established Partners patient and do not have a primary care provider – or are unable to reach them – there are other resources available to you:

• Call the Mass General Brigham COVID-19 Nurse Line at 617.724.7000. Staffed from 8 am to 4:30pm, Monday-Sunday (open 7 days a week), nurses are available to respond to general or specific questions about COVID-19 for those who have symptoms, believe they may have been exposed, or are looking to learn more. If treatment is needed, they will guide you through next steps. Interpreters can be added to calls for patients who need it. Mass General Brigham COVID-19 Nurse Line information in more languages, click here. 
• Launch a video visit with an urgent care provider at Mass General Brigham On Demand. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, PHOD is suggested for those who have symptoms of COVID-19 and/or have underlying conditions that may put them at greater risk. A doctor or advanced practitioner will conduct an intake assessment via a secure video visit and recommend next steps. Note that this service is only available to established Mass General Brigham patients in Massachusetts.
• Use the Partners HealthCare COVID-19 Screener. This always-on web tool allows Mass General Brigham patients who have symptoms of COVID-19 – or who are concerned about exposure to COVID-19 – to walk through a few automated online questions. At the end of the brief assessment, patients will be directed to next steps based on their health status.

You're not feeling well and think you may have been exposed to COVID-19. Should you stay home, or head to the Emergency Department? 

Before deciding to come to the hospital, please call your primary care provider and tell them about your symptoms – and if you’ve traveled to any of the areas listed in the CDC travel warnings. They will give you instructions on how to get care without exposing other people to your illness. While sick, avoid contact with people, don’t leave your home and delay any travel to reduce the possibility of spreading illness to others. 

Your health is important. Please click on this link that has information in multiple languages (including Spanish) about coronavirus (COVID-19).

Tu salud es importante. Haga clic en este enlace que tiene información en varios idiomas (incluido el español) sobre el coronavirus (COVID-19).

If you feel you fit the criteria to get tested for COVID-19, please click here to view the COVID-19 testing information page.

Caring for your family member with COVID-19 at home

If you or a member of your family has tested positive for COVID-19 and can be cared for at home, please download this guide to keep you and your family safe— and to avoid spreading infection to others in your household and community. The guide is also available in Spanish. We've also created a guide for those who are rehabbing from COVID-19, to view the guide please click here. 

If you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19, call your health care provider.

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