Physician Resources
UNC Health is following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for COVID-19. Please first look for answers to general questions in the resources on the CDC website for Healthcare Professionals.
What are the latest guidelines for patient care and treatment of COVID-19?
The CDC provides information about the following:
PPE Burn Rate Calculator
Use the
CDC’s calculator to plan and optimize the use of PPE for response to COVID-19.
COVID-19 Treatment Resources and Latest News
External providers are now able to place requests for COVID-19 therapeutics (infusions, injections) in CareLink. These orders route to a centralized workqueue that nurses at UNC will work and contact the patient to schedule.
Place an Order for Outpatient Infusion COVID-19 Therapy in CareLink [PDF]
All clinicians treating patients for COVID-19 are encouraged to watch this video with Dr. David Wohl, as he provides an overview on two oral therapeutics: Paxlovid and Molunipiravir. As UNC Health receives additional supplies of these medications, we want to ensure clinicians know when it is (and isn't) appropriate to prescribe them to help prevent hospitalization for COVID+ patients.
Outpatient Treatment & Prevention Guidance
Current Prioritization of COVID-19 Therapeutics:
- Paxlovid
- Bebtelovimab
- Remdesivir
- Molnupiravir
CDC Guidance for People Experiencing Unsheltered Homelessness
A guide for actions that healthcare facilities and others can take to protect people experiencing homelessness from the spread of COVID-19.
Pediatric Information
Information from the CDC indicates that COVID-19 symptoms in children may be similar to those of common viral respiratory infections, and complications tend to be less severe than in adults. As there are no antiviral drugs approved for COVID-19, CDC recommendations include supportive management of symptoms and complications.
Symptoms include:
- symptoms of respiratory infection
- cough
- nasal congestion
- rhinorrhea
- sore throat
- Vomiting and diarrhea have also been reported.
If a patient has any of the below symptoms, has been exposed to COVID-19 or tested positive for COVID-19 less than 21 days ago, UNC Health asks that patients call their provider's office before attending their next appointment.
For more guidance for diagnosing and treating pediatric patients, visit the Health Professionals section of the CDC website.
What Is UNC Health's COVID-19 Strategy
The key components of our strategy regarding COVID-19 are below.
Identify:
- All persons with respiratory infection symptoms (e.g., fever, cough) should be provided with tissues to cover their mouth, cough, and nose and asked to thoroughly wash their hands.
- Masks should be provided when patients have a cough that cannot be contained with tissues, for patients who screen positive for suspected COVID-19, or for severely immunocompromised patients (e.g., CF, transplant) who are instructed to wear a mask by their physician.
- Obtain a detailed travel history for patients being evaluated with fever and/or acute respiratory illness. Current case definition for patients under investigation of novel coronavirus.
Isolate:
- Patients with symptoms of suspected COVID-19 or other respiratory infection (e.g., fever, cough) should be isolated in a private room with the door closed and should wear a mask.
- Healthcare providers should obtain a detailed travel history for patients being evaluated with fever and/or acute respiratory illness.
Inform:
- Healthcare providers should immediately notify both infection prevention personnel, and their local or state health department for any patients under investigation of novel coronavirus for additional and more specific infection prevention guidance (use of Special airborne/contact precautions and Lab instructions).
- Immediately notify both your local Infection Prevention team and the N.C. State Health Department at 919-733-3419
What is UNC Health advising for patients with symptoms similar to COVID-19?
If a patient has any of the below symptoms, they can use UNC Health’s symptom checker. This will lead them through some questions to determine if they need medical follow-up. If a patient has been exposed to COVID-19 or tested positive for COVID-19 less than 21 days ago, UNC Health asks that patients call their provider's office before attending their next appointment.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Fever or feeling feverish
- Shaking with chills
- Vomiting or diarrhea
COVID-19 Testing at UNC Health
UNC Health patients who need a COVID-19 test, can do the following:
- Schedule a test using My UNC Chart and selecting “Schedule an Appointment” from the menu.
- Contact their UNC Health provider and ask to be scheduled for the test.
Other options for Testing
COVID-19 testing is available throughout North Carolina including at many area clinics and pharmacies. Testing sites can be found on the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services website.
Individuals can also request a free at-home test kit from LabCorp. Read the instructions on how to request a kit.
Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of 4 free at-home tests from USPS.com. Here’s what they need to know about their order:
- Limit of one order per residential address
- One order includes 4 individual rapid antigen COVID-19 tests
- Orders ship free