COVID-19 Resources for Physicians

COVID-19, or SARS-CoV-2, is a new coronavirus that first began affecting people in 2019 and has quickly spread worldwide. As scientists and public health agencies continue to monitor and learn more about this novel virus, it is important to be informed and stay updated.

Most children with COVID-19 have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. However, some children can get severely ill from COVID-19, especially babies under 1 year old and children with underlying medical conditions. In the event that a child presents with a known or suspected COVID-19 infection, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is prepared to support diagnosis and management according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.

Non-emergent testing

COVID-19 testing is not being offered in our Emergency Departments or Urgent Care locations for patients who do not have symptoms. 

Alternative testing locations

We encourage patients who are only seeking a COVID-19 test to visit a local testing site. View the Georgia Department of Public Health's list of COVID-19 testing locations.  

Pre-surgical testing

We have resumed COVID-19 testing for all patients scheduled for an aerosol-generating procedure at Children’s, regardless of their vaccination status.

Eligibility

COVID-19 vaccine eligibility has been expanded to all Georgians 12 and older.

Vaccination sites

For individuals ages 12 to 17, Pfizer is the only vaccine currently approved for these ages. Individuals can visit the Georgia Department of Public Health's vaccine finder to find a location near them.

At Children's, we are taking every precaution to help make sure your patients are safe when visiting one of our facilities. We have taken a number of important steps to make our facilities as safe as possible.

Universal masking

To support social distancing guidelines and the health of our patients, families and employees, Children’s requires all patients, staff, visitors and vendors (over 2 years old) to wear masks while in a Children’s facility. Children’s provides employees with the type of mask that is indicated by their work area or the type of care they provide (e.g., N95 mask, procedure mask or cloth mask).

Children’s does not allow employees or visitors to wear neck gaiters, bandanas, scarves, valved or vented masks, or face shields (without a mask) as acceptable face coverings when entering a Children’s facility. Anyone wearing one of these prohibited face coverings at screening will be provided a procedure mask to wear instead.

COVID-19 wellness screening

Children’s requires all visitors, employees, staff, volunteers, students and contractors to complete daily wellness screenings that include temperature checks and symptom questions as part of a range of the Children’s safety precautions that are aligned with the CDC recommendations.

Learn more ways we're keeping patient families safe.

Safety guidelines:

• Masking required (8.5x11)
• Masking required (24x36)
• Masking and handwashing required (8.5x11)
• Masking, handwashing and distancing required (8.5x11)
• Safety guidelines (8.5x11)
• Safety guidelines (24x36)

Social distancing:

• Social distancing (8.5x11)
• Social distancing (24x36)
• Seat unavailable
• Number of employees limited
• Social distancing floor marker

Elevators and stairwells:

• One-way stairwell (8.5x11)
• One-way stairwell (24x36)
• Stairwell floor marker
• Elevator distancing

Masking:

• How to properly wear a mask
• How to ask others to mask up
• Be the example: mask up

Other:

• Restroom maintenance
• Directional floor marker
• Staff screening