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COVID-19 Resources

Do you have symptoms of COVID-19 or think you may have been exposed?

St. Luke’s is here to help.

Learn more about COVID-19 symptoms and the testing process at St. Luke’s

Factors Impacting St. Luke's Service Availability and COVID-19 Response

  • Staffing, Supply, and PPE Availability

    We are constantly adjusting and adapting as our access to personal protective equipment, critical health care supplies, and a healthy workforce fluctuates. 

  • Clinical Standards

    Practices change as our understanding of the virus evolves; our team continually evaluates and incorporates the latest science and clinical care guidelines.

  • COVID-19 Patient Census

    We carefully monitor ongoing COVID-19 inpatient and surge activity levels within our hospitals.

  • Overall Capacity for Care

    All day, every day, we are watching the availability of medical, surgical and ICU beds for all patients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click each question below for its answer:

What are coronaviruses?
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common throughout the world. These viruses, at times, can evolve and infect people, and then spread through human-to-human contact. They are the cause of up to 25 percent of the upper respiratory infections seen each year.
How do you get infected with COVID-19?
Human coronaviruses, including COVID-19, spread just like the flu or a cold — through the air from coughs or sneezes; through close personal contact, like touching or shaking hands; by touching an object or surface with the viruses on it and then touching your face; and occasionally, through fecal contamination.
How can I lessen my risk of COVID-19 infection?
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, use the same precautions you would for the flu and common cold. St. Luke’s recommends these infection-prevention practices:
  • If you’re sick, stay home. Use the myChart self-triage tool or call the St. Luke's hotline at 208-381-9500 if you suspect you have the virus.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve – not your hands – when coughing or sneezing.
  • Clean your home, work space, shared items and other frequented locations.
  • Avoid unnecessary contact with sick individuals.
  • Based on current evidence, the CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
How do I know if I have COVID-19? Should I get tested?
The severity can range from mild to severe illness for confirmed COVID-19 cases. It has caused many deaths around the world. 

The following symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure:
  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

These symptoms alone are not a predictor of COVID-19. Check the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines to assess risk.  

If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, gastrointestinal distress, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste/smell or repeated shaking with chills, and are concerned you may have risk factors for coronavirus, the team at St. Luke's can help. Please use our self-triage tool in myChart first; it will help you determine what to do next. If you don’t have a myChart account, you can create one online here. You may also call our COVID-19 hotline for instructions or assistance at 208-381-9500.

Please visit an emergency department if you need treatment for severe symptoms.

Will I have to pay to be tested for coronavirus?

COVID-19 tests will be provided to anyone who is screened and meets criteria based on their symptoms and/or exposure. Our team is available to screen you to determine if testing is needed. St. Luke's will bill your insurance company; however, regardless of your test result, you may still have an out-of-pocket or co-payment amount dependent on your insurance benefits. If you do not have insurance, you will be responsible for the balance and St. Luke's will bill you for the test.

How long will it take to get test results?
The time to receive results fluctuates based on demand and surge activity. A positive test will result in a phone call and all results will be added to myChart.
Should I go to the emergency department?

If you develop symptoms of respiratory illness and are concerned you may have risk factors for COVID-19, please check your symptoms using our self-triage tool in myChart or call St. Luke's triage hotline at 208-381-9500. Clinic staff will be able to complete a risk assessment over the phone and provide guidance on next steps, which may include arranging testing if needed.

Please visit an emergency department if you need treatment for severe symptoms. Learn more about severe symptoms.

Providers should coordinate with their local Emergency Department or hospital if a patient has severe symptoms.

What can I do to prevent myself from getting sick from COVID-19?
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, use the same precautions you would for the flu and common cold. St. Luke’s recommends these infection-prevention practices:
  • If you’re sick, stay home. Use the self-triage tool in myChart or call the St. Luke's hotline at 208-381-9500 if you suspect you have the virus and feel you need evaluation for symptoms. 
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve – not your hands – when coughing or sneezing. 
  • Clean your home, workspace, shared items and other frequented locations. 
  • Avoid unnecessary contact with sick individuals. 
  • Based on new evidence, the CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
Face masks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others and healthcare personnel caring for symptomatic patients.
Do we know how long the virus is living on surfaces?
According to an updated study, this coronavirus (COVID-19) can remain active and viable for up to 2 to 3 days on inanimate surfaces, including stainless steel, plastics, cardboard (up to 24 hours), glass and copper. Frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces with most cleaners makes the virus inactivate within one minute.
Should I be wearing a mask?
Updated and reviewed 2/1/23
All staff, visitors and patients are to follow masking guidelines outlined by St. Luke's and per public health recommendations and organizational policy when in any health care areas or where patients may be present. 

  • Non-health care settings: visitors and vaccinated employees in non-health care settings have the option to mask, if they so choose, but are not required.
  • Health care settings: All staff, visitors, and patients are required to wear St. Luke's-provided procedure masks, or personally supplied, non-valved N95s or KN95 masks.
    • Personal cloth face coverings will not be permitted unless they are covered by a procedure mask. 
    • A visitor who does not wear a mask continuously and properly during a visit, will first be given a warning and will be reminded of the universal masking expectations. If, after a warning, they continue to violate the mask policy, they may be removed by security and added to a no-visit list.
    • If an egregious violation of St. Luke's masking policy occurs at any time, security may be contacted, and the visitor may be removed immediately.

Should I double-mask?
  • Keep in mind that masks work! The most important thing is to wear a tight-fitting mask on you and anyone around you. The mask needs to fit snugly against your face and cover your nose, mouth, and chin. The mask should be a procedural mask. To get a better fit, you may choose to wear a cloth mask and procedural mask together.
  • As a reminder, when entering a St. Luke’s facility, patients and visitors may wear personal procedural masks that are clean and uncompromised. If the mask is soiled or compromised, they will be required to change their mask. If patients or visitors present with a cloth or N95 masks, they will need to trade their mask for a procedural mask or place a procedural mask over the cloth or N95 mask. Procedural masks will be provided for those who need them. Even when masking, keep physical distance, wash your hands, and avoid large gatherings. Wearing an N95 is not necessary unless you are working in a health care setting.
I haven't been wearing a mask other places, like restaurants and stores, why do I have to wear one at St. Luke's?

We realize there are varying practices, but the health care setting is unique. We have a responsibility to provide the safest possible environment to all our patients, visitors and staff. COVID-19 is highly contagious. It spreads quickly and can be dangerous. To protect you, other patients, visitors and staff, masks are required at all St. Luke’s patient care facilities.

What should I do if I have recently traveled and am sick?
If you have traveled within the past 14 days and have COVID-19 symptoms, you should call your primary care provider to complete a risk assessment over the phone. They will be able to provide guidance on next steps, if needed. While sick, avoid contact with people, stay home and delay any travel to reduce the possibility of spreading illness to others.
Is there a vaccine for COVID-19?

Yes, there are COVID-19 vaccines available. Learn more about COVID vaccines.

Is there a treatment for COVID-19?
The FDA has authorized antiviral medications to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in people who are more likely to get very sick. As of January 26, 2023, EVUSHELDTM is not currently authorized for emergency use because it is unlikely to be active against the majority of SARS-CoV-2 variants circulating in the United States. View the CDC’s COVID-19 Treatments and Medications information.
Can people who recover from COVID-19 be infected again?

Patients with COVID-19 are unlikely to be re-infected shortly after they recover, but we have seen recurrence of COVID-19 infection over time.

If we have a family member (children, elderly parents) we take care of daily who is showing symptoms, should we self-quarantine and work from home for 5 days?

Not unless the family member tests positive for COVID-19. You should monitor yourself for development of any symptoms and if they develop, you should use the myChart self-triage tool or contact the St. Luke's triage hotline at 208-381-9500 to complete a risk assessment screening.

What should we do if we have a family member who is immuno-compromised?
The advice is similar to our general recommendations including the practice of good hand hygiene, frequent cleaning of high-touch items and avoiding close contact with others if they notice COVID-19 symptoms. Also, consider limiting exposures of yourself and these family members to large gatherings and public events.

Articles & Resources

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