Last updated: 5/20/2022 at 9:25 a.m.
Patient & Visitor Information
Our Experts in the Media
- USC doctors learn about treatment options for long-term COVID-19 (Spectrum News 1, 4/28/22)
- Treatment that can protect vulnerable people from COVID-19? Learn more. (Los Angeles Times, 3/6/22)
- Answers to questions about COVID-19 home tests (HealthDay, 2/3/22)
COVID-19 Resources
Stay Home
According to the CDC, the best way to protect yourself is to avoid exposure to the virus. Staying home can help you and your loved ones limit your exposure.
Wash Your Hands
Washing your hands is very important. Health authorities recommend washing your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol can be used.
Social Distancing
Social distancing measures, including staying six feet from others and avoiding close contact with those who may be sick, can help slow the spread of COVID-19.
How to Access Your COVID-19 Vaccine Card from Keck Medicine of USC
COVID-19 Testing
Patients can access COVID-19 diagnostic tests. Your physician can order these tests for you, by appointment. Whether you are an existing patient or would like to become a patient, our team can help connect you with a Keck Medicine provider regarding COVID-19 testing. For assistance, please call (800) USC-CARE (800-872-2273).
It is recommended that all patients undergoing a high-risk procedure get tested for COVID-19 within 48-72 hours prior to their procedure. Your physician can order these tests for you, by appointment. We recommend being tested at a Keck Medicine facility to ensure a sufficient turnaround time. If you have questions, please reach out to us at (800) USC-CARE (800-872-2273).
As of March 8, 2021, our Arcadia drive-through COVID-19 testing tent has been closed until further notice.
COVID-19 Testing Location
Health Sciences Campus
2266 Norfolk St.
Los Angeles, CA 90033
Monday-Sunday: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Click here for a map of this location.
Participate in COVID-19 Research
Our community of scientists is working diligently to better understand COVID-19 and is looking for people who have tested positive and recovered from the virus to take part in two projects:
- USC COVID-19 Biorepository
- USC COVID-19 Convalescent Serum Donation Project
Participants will be asked to donate biospecimens such as blood, urine and saliva.
To learn more about the projects and how to participate, click here.
Keck Medicine COVID-19 Test Pricing
| Keck Medicine Coronavirus (COVID-19) Diagnostic Lab Test | Coronavirus (COVID-19) Viral Test | Coronavirus (COVID-19) Antibody Test |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Description | This is a viral test that indicates if you currently have the coronavirus infection. | This is an antibody test that indicates if you previously had the coronavirus infection. |
| Test Description | Molecular (RT-PCR) test to diagnose SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19). This is publicized as the “swab” test. | Antibody (serology) test to detect antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 that provide indication that you have been exposed to the virus. |
| When To Get Tested | When you have symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or have been exposed to someone with the virus. | When you previously had, or suspected you had, COVID-19 and your health care provider wants to determine if you have antibodies to the virus. |
| Keck Medicine Cash Price | $114 | $115 |
Our Frontline Team
Take a look at the members of our health care team as they work to protect our patients and community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Take a look at the members of our health care team as they work to protect our patients and community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Take a look at the members of our health care team as they work to protect our patients and community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Take a look at the members of our health care team as they work to protect our patients and community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Take a look at the members of our health care team as they work to protect our patients and community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Take a look at the members of our health care team as they work to protect our patients and community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your health and safety are our top priorities. Our physicians and staff are here for you when you need care — via a virtual telehealth visit or in one of our offices or hospitals. To learn more about how we are providing safe, effective care, click here.
Virtual visits allow you and your physician to share information using a video connection. In order to have a virtual visit with one of our physicians, you must have an internet connection as well as USC’s TeleCARE platform installed on your computer or smartphone. For instructions on how to install the USC TeleCARE platform on your computer or smartphone, click here.
To view the USC TeleCARE Patient User Guide, click here.
The health of our patients is always our top priority. To protect our patients, visitors and staff from the spread of COVID-19, enhanced visitor restrictions are in place until further notice. You can access our current visitor policy, here.
We appreciate your understanding as we continue to make adjustments to our policies and procedures to protect our patients and staff.
Beginning Sept. 20, 2021, all Keck Medicine of USC health care workers, volunteers, vendors or contractors must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Keck Medicine staff who are not fully vaccinated must complete mandatory weekly or twice-weekly COVID-19 testing and wear an N95 mask.
At this critical time, Keck Medicine is asking qualified physicians who are not currently providing clinical care to supplement our current physician workforce, in anticipation of a surge of seriously ill coronavirus patients. If you’re available to help, click here.
Effective immediately, vendors and all other non-essential visitors will not be granted access to our facilities. All meetings scheduled with vendors should take place virtually, via teleconference or on platforms such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams. In-person meetings with vendor representatives should not take place, including appointments with medical device representatives.
Important Information From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Below are answers to frequently asked questions about COVID-19 from the CDC. For the complete FAQ list, click here.
COVID-19 is a disease caused by a virus called SARS-CoV-2. Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but some people can become severely ill. Although most people with COVID-19 get better within weeks of illness, some people experience post-COVID conditions. Post-COVID conditions are a wide range of new, returning, or ongoing health problems people can experience more than four weeks after first being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. Older people and those who have certain underlying medical conditions are more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19. Vaccines against COVID-19 are safe and effective.
COVID-19 spreads when an infected person breathes out droplets and very small particles that contain the virus. These droplets and particles can be breathed in by other people or land on their eyes, noses, or mouth. In some circumstances, they may contaminate surfaces they touch. People who are closer than 6 feet from the infected person are most likely to get infected.
COVID-19 is spread in three main ways:
- Breathing in air when close to an infected person who is exhaling small droplets and particles that contain the virus.
- Having these small droplets and particles that contain virus land on the eyes, nose or mouth, especially through splashes and sprays like a cough or sneeze.
- Touching eyes, nose or mouth with hands that have the virus on them.
For more information about how COVID-19 spreads, visit the the CDC’s How COVID-19 Spreads page to learn how COVID-19 spreads and how to protect yourself.
Viruses constantly change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur. Sometimes new variants emerge and disappear. Other times, new variants persist. Numerous variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 are being tracked in the United States and globally during this pandemic.
Learn more from the CDC about new variants.
Visit the CDC’s How to Protect Yourself and Others page to learn about how to protect yourself from COVID-19.
The CDC provides guidance on masks for vaccinated people and unvaccinated people.
People with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms — from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. If you have a fever, cough or other symptoms, you might have COVID-19.
To learn more about the CDC’s latest COVID-19 testing recommendations, click here.
Testing is also advised for people who have been asked or referred to get tested by their health care provider, or state, tribal, local or territorial health department.
Yes, it is possible. You may test negative, if the sample was collected early in your infection, and test positive later during this illness. You could also be exposed to COVID-19 after the test and get infected then. Even if you test negative, you still should take steps to protect yourself and others. See the CDC’s Testing for Current Infection page, for more information.
