Where to Get Care
If you think you may be sick, here are your best options for care.
Call Your Healthcare Provider
Before going into your provider's office, be sure to call them and follow their recommendation for care.
Use TGH Virtual Health
Connect with a medical care professional any time, any where from your smartphone, tablet or computer, 24/7/365. They will advise you on what to do next
Visit a Designated Evaluation and Testing Site
Tampa General Hospital is not a COVID-19 testing site.
To schedule an appointment at a Hillsborough County COVID-19 testing site, please call (888) 513-6321 or register online at www.HCFLGov.net/COVIDTesting.
Tampa General Hospital Updates
Visitation Policy
While we believe in family presence and respect the value of having family with you during your care, due to the rapid increase in COVID cases in Florida and Hillsborough County, we have had to make modifications to our visitation policy.
We have revised our Visitation Policy due to the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases in Florida and Hillsborough County.
We thank you in advance for your support in helping us maintain the safety of patients, their loved ones and our team members.
We ask that you remain respectful with our team members about these changes and always follow the visitation guidelines.
Visitor Hours
8 a.m. — 8 p.m.
- Children under 18 are not allowed into the hospital, except with approval by the nursing unit for very rare circumstances.
- Only one person may visit per day, per patient for only two hours. Patient care restrictions may apply.
- All visitors must provide a government-issued photo identification card.
- All visitors must be free of COVID-19 and illness symptoms (screening will place prior to entrance).
- All visitors must always wear a mask over your nose and mouth. Failure to do so will result in you being asked to leave the hospital and not being able to return.
- The cafeteria, Starbucks, Gift Shop or McDonald’s are closed to visitors.
- Outside food deliveries or drop-off for visitors are not allowed. This includes services such as Uber Eats or Grubhub.
- Visitation to any of the COVID units is not allowed.
Area-Specific Information
- Labor & Delivery Area:
- The primary support person for the patient may stay for the entirety of the stay but must remain at the bedside at all times and may not come and go from the hospital.
- A second person who is labor support may be present in the Labor & Delivery area but must exit once the delivery is completed.
- Post-Partum (Mother-Baby) Areas:
- The primary support person for the patient may stay for the entirety of the stay but must remain at the bedside at all times and may not come and go from the hospital.
- A second person may visit using the visitation process above.
- Pediatrics:
- One parent or guardian may remain at the bedside for the entirety of the stay.
- A second parent or guardian may visit for two hours during visitation hours. Parents or guardians may switch for overnight stays.
- NICU:
- Both parents may be at the bedside from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- One parent may remain at the bedside overnight.
- Surgical/Procedural Areas:
- Pre & Post-Operative areas - no visitation except for Pediatric patients may have one parent with a minor patient
For everyone’s safety, if the waiting areas do not allow for physical distancing, visitors may be asked to wait in alternative areas and will be called to return to the primary space when the procedure is done.
- Testing Areas (Radiology, Lab, Pre-Admission Testing)
- One adult visitor pass * may remain for testing *Patients admitted or minors, see above.
ER - Emergency Room Areas
For everyone's safety, when volumes do not allow for physical distancing, we may ask visitors to remain in their cars until the patient is placed in his or her room.
Adult ER: One visitor pass *Guidelines above apply if the patient is admitted
Pediatric ER: Two parent/guardian visitor passes *Guidelines above apply if the patient is admitted
- TGMG - Tampa General Medical Group Primary Care Offices (Note: not Transplant Services, Oncology Offices or Cancer Center)
- One visitor office visit/exam room visitor pass. *Guidelines above apply if patient needs tests or is admitted
- Visitor must be free of COVID-19 and illness symptoms (will be screened prior to entrance).
- Both the patient and visitor may need to remain outside the facility or in car until appointment time.
- Both patient and visitor must wear a mask over nose and mouth at all times
For everyone's safety, when volumes do not allow for physical distancing, we reserve the right to limit access to the patient only.
Hospital Bed Availability for COVID-19 Patients
Available
[] COVID-19 Admissions
[] ICU Beds in Use for COVID-19 Patients
Legend
Available Beds for COVID-19 PatientsGreater than 90% Beds Occupied for COVID-19 Patients
Limited Bed Availability for COVID-19 Patients
Note: TGH manages bed capacity and demand with a state-of-the-art command center called CareComm. Through the use of artificial intelligence and predictive analytics, TGH is able to efficiently manage patient capacity and demand, including COVID-19 patients.
Booster Vaccine Information
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised receive a booster mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) at least 28 days after the completion of the initial vaccine.
This immunocompromised group includes patients who have:
- Active treatment for solid tumor and hematologic malignancies
- Receipt of solid-organ transplant and taking immunosuppressive therapy
- Receipt of CAR-T-cell or hematopoietic stem cell transplant (within 2 years of transplantation or taking immunosuppression therapy)
- Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (e.g., DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
- Advanced or untreated HIV infection
- Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids (i.e., ≥20mg prednisone or equivalent per day), alkylating agents, antimetabolites, transplant-related immunosuppressive drugs, cancer chemotherapeutic agents classified as severely immunosuppressive, tumor-necrosis (TNF) blockers, and other biologic agents that are immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory.
Surgery Information
Tampa General Hospital is closely monitoring the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases and the impact this is having on hospitals in the Tampa Bay region. As the numbers continue to rise, Tampa General is slowing down some of our non-emergent elective surgeries that require admission to the hospital effective Wednesday, Aug. 11. This allows us to create more capacity for patient beds and staffing.
The hospital, working closely with OR Governance, is taking a phased approach to this temporary move which does not impact our ability to perform urgent and emergent surgeries. Cases that can be safely paused without negatively impacting the health of the patient will be rescheduled. Patients will be notified by their physicians in collaboration with OR leadership. This is a fluid situation, and we will continue to update you as things change.
Gift Shop
The Gift Shop is open, they're selling small plants, fresh flower arrangements, balloons, greeting cards, plush animals, books, magazines, and much more. A selection of personal and toiletry items is also available. Purchases for delivery to patients can be made over the phone with a credit card. The gift shop can be reached at (813) 844-7370. Monday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Monoclonal Antibodies Treatment for COVID-19
Tampa General Hospital’s Global Emerging Diseases Institute (GEDI) offers monoclonal antibody treatments, which has been shown to help reduce hospitalizations and prevent worsening of COVID-19 symptoms. Treatments are offered at no direct cost to patients.
Who is eligible for the Monoclonal Antibody Treatment?
Any patient 12 years of age or older who has tested positive for COVID-19 with a physician referral. Patients experiencing mild/moderate symptoms - without increased oxygen requirements from symptom onset. Patients who a medical provider deems "high-risk" for their symptoms progressing to a severe level.
Patients must be within seven days of when their symptoms started or 10 days for immunocompromised patients.
Coronavirus Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is Tampa General Hospital prepared?
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Yes. We regularly treat patients with infectious diseases and complex illnesses and have rigorous infection-prevention protocols. Our infectious disease specialists are highly trained, in continual contact with local, state and federal public health officials and closely monitoring developments.
- Should I keep my medical appointment?
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Yes. Please keep existing appointments unless directed otherwise.
- How dangerous is COVID-19?
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The CDC says the immediate health risk to the general public in the U.S. is low. For most people, the novel coronavirus produces a mild illness, and many of those infected don't even know they have it. As with influenza, in some cases it can lead to serious illness such as pneumonia and death. It appears that the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions are most susceptible.
- How does the disease spread?
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COVID-19 spreads mainly between people who are in close contact with one another (approximately six feet). The virus can be transmitted in droplets that become airborne through a cough or sneeze. You can also be exposed after touching a surface that has the virus on it, and then touching your face, eyes or mouth.
- How can I keep myself healthy?
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While the CDC has determined that the current risk of infection of COVID-19 in the United States remains low, there are steps you can take to stay healthy, such as:
- Wash your hands frequently and for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Cough into your elbow or a tissue and not your hands. Dispose of the tissue.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work and school.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- If you are sick, stay home and do not travel or report to work.
- Practice healthy habits: Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.
- What are the symptoms?
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According to current information from the CDC, symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus. Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. This information is based on what has been seen in similar previous viruses, and it may change as more is known about COVID-19.
- What do I do if I'm sick?
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If you have recently traveled to an area identified as high risk by the CDC or have been in contact with someone who has been confirmed to have COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and you have a fever and/or respiratory symptoms, please contact your county health department for direction about testing and treatment. Please do not go directly to the emergency room without contacting your healthcare provider first. TGH Virtual Health is one option for speaking to a physician without leaving your home. Learn more about the TGH Virtual Health service here. The Florida Department of Public Health hotline is another resource and can be reached at 1 (866) 779-6121, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- How are you diagnosed and treated?
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Contact your primary care physician if you experience cold or flu like symptoms. TGH Virtual Health is also a great option for care. It enables patients to seek medical attention from their home while limiting the spread of germs. You can learn more about the TGH Virtual Health service here.
If you have a fever and/or respiratory symptoms AND have traveled internationally or across states, OR have been in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, please contact your county health department for direction about testing and treatment. The health department will advise you on how to access care if needed and will contact your local hospital.
- Are you accepting donations to the hospital?
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All donation requests should be directed to the TGH Foundation at foundation@tgh.org.
Trusted Sources
COVID-19 is a rapidly changing, global health issues. Access the latest information from the following organizations:
