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COVID-19

Last content update: 10/31/24

Masks are required for patients, visitors, and staff in patient care areas of health care delivery facilities in Santa Clara County from November 1 through March 31.

The County’s Health Order Requiring Use of Face Masks in Patient Care Areas of Health Care Delivery Facilities During Designated Winter Respiratory Virus Period requires use of face masks in patient care areas of healthcare facilities from November 1 through March 31 of each year.

For more information, visit our Public Health Orders webpage.

COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is a respiratory disease caused by a virus named SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19 is part of a family of coronaviruses that can cause respiratory infections and illness. 

Note: Individuals and entities must follow all laws that apply to them and are encouraged to follow all local, state, and federal public health guidance. However, when local, state, or federal public health guidance conflict, or when public health guidance is stricter than the law, individuals and entities are encouraged to follow the most protective guidance.

  1. The information on this webpage is non-exhaustive. All providers and facilities should consult their respective state or federal regulatory agencies (e.g.,  CDPH, CDSS, and/or DHCS) for additional information, guidance or requirements that may be applicable.
  2. In the workplace, employers are subject to Cal/OSHA's COVID-19 Prevention Non-Emergency Regulations, or in some workplaces, the Cal/OSHA Aerosol Transmissible Diseases (ATD) Standard, and should consult those regulations for additional applicable requirements.
  3. Health care facilities that are subject to reporting or licensing requirements by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) should visit the CMS webpage for additional information or requirements.

Post-Exposure, Quarantine, and Isolation Recommendations Table

Post-exposure, quarantine and isolation recommendations for different settings, providers and populations are organized in the table below: 

Facility TypeStaffPatients or Residents
Acute Care HospitalsCDC Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Healthcare Personnel During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic
Outpatient, Ambulatory, Dental and Optometry Healthcare Settings 
Health Care Delivery Long-Term Care Facilities (LTCFs), including Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs)
Long-Term Care Facilities that do not provide or offer healthcare services
Supportive Housing, including Congregate Shelters
Custody Health Settings
Correctional and Custody facilities, including Adult and Juvenile Detention Centers
Schools and Childcare Settings
Emergency Medical ServicesN/A

Testing for COVID-19

There are several viral tests available for detection for COVID-19. For more information on the types of testing available, please visit the CDC’s Testing for COVID-19 webpage. Providers should follow all local, state and federal regulations related to testing, including but not limited to CDPH's COVID-19: Information for Laboratories. Providers may refer patients to our COVID testing, vaccines, and treatment webpage for additional resources. 

Prevention

See resources below to learn how providers can prevent COVID-19 in their community.

Promote and encourage vaccination

Keep up to date with local COVID-19 data and regulations

Promote masking and face coverings

Review COVID-19 infection prevention measures

COVID-19 treatment

Why prescribe antivirals to treat COVID-19?

COVID-19 therapeutics are a safe and effective measure for preventing severe illness, hospitalization, and death for all persons, especially those at high-risk. All health care providers and prescribers are encouraged to provide therapeutic education and access for patients. See the resources below to learn more about available COVID-19 treatment options.

Provider resources for COVID-19 therapeutics

Patient Resources for COVID-19 Therapeutics

Reporting

Health care provider reporting is an essential part of the public health response to COVID-19 as the information is used to detect outbreaks, identify exposures in high-risk settings, and inform the allocation of local resources. Timely and complete reporting of fatalities is necessary to characterize and communicate who is at highest risk of dying at home and in the hospital. 

  • Health care providers who do not provide long-term care may learn about COVID-19 reporting, including how to report and any requirements, by visiting our Report infectious diseases webpage. 
  • Long-term care providers may visit our Information for long-term care facilities webpage to learn more about their reporting requirements and find reporting resources. 
  • Health care providers can learn about reporting MIS-C by visiting our Report infectious diseases webpage. All health care providers should fill out the MIS-C Form for all MIS-C cases.