Coronavirus (COVID-19) information

covid Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula has been monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic closely. Community Hospital has been working with Monterey County Health Department, California Department of Public Health, and following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on protocols for addressing any potential cases.

All people who enter a Montage Health patient care facility must wear a face covering – this includes all Community Hospital and Montage Medical Group facilities. This follows the most recent recommendation from the CDC and Monterey County Public Health Department that people wear face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies).

Have questions? Call our COVID-19 Information Line: (831) 622-8001

Visitor restrictions

Donations: how you can help

Services offered and available facilities

Medical affairs director on resuming surgeries

Updated: May 21, 2020

Advance healthcare planning

Many community members have recently requested assistance in documenting their health care wishes in the event they should become seriously ill. This documentation would be in the form of an advance health care directive or the physician orders for life-sustaining treatment form known as POLST. If you need assistance in completing either of these forms or if you have questions about your existing directive or documents, please call 622-8004. If you need a copy of the advance directive or POLST form to complete, visit chomp.org/advancedirective.

Community Hospital is here to help

Believe it or not, there are times you shouldn’t shelter in place...

When you suspect you’re having a heart attack or stroke
When you are seriously or critically ill
When you normally wouldn’t have given a second thought about going to the ED

One of the disheartening fallouts from COVID-19 is that we are seeing some patients put off their emergency care because of fear about COVID-19 at hospitals.

We want you to know:

We have no inpatients who are positive for COVID-19
If we do have a patient with COVID-19 or who is awaiting test results, they are separated from other patients
We have resources that can help members of our community get the care they need or get help assessing their health situation — MoGo Urgent Care clinics in Monterey and Marina, eVisits, and telehealth video visits.

Please don’t delay the treatment you might need. And please don’t be afraid — your safety always has been, and still is, our top priority.

Coronavirus FAQs

Is there a place to get tested if I don’t have symptoms?
Yes, there are two options for free testing and you do not need to have symptoms.
1. Monterey County residents can now access free testing at four area sites. Testing is open to all community members. The testing sites were chosen by the state based on locations with an increased prevalence of COVID-19 cases.
  - Site locations are in Salinas, Greenfield, Watsonville, and Hollister
  - You can be tested even if you do not have symptoms
  - You must make an appointment: Call (888) 634-1123 | Online https://lhi.care/covidtesting
2. A drive-through COVID-19 testing site will be open to the general public, starting May 19 at Monterey Peninsula College (MPC) and running through at least June 15. You do not need to have symptoms to get tested.
  - Tuesday through Thursday, May 26-28
  - Monday through Thursday, June 1-4
  - Monday through Thursday, June 8-11
  - 9-noon and 1-4 p.m.
  - Lot D (rear of college), Monterey Peninsula College, 980 Fremont Street, Monterey
  - Nasal swab (for active virus; not whether you have had the virus)
  - Photo ID and insurance card (if available) are needed
  - Appointment is preferred but not required (online appointment scheduling available Wednesday)
  The tests are being administered by Planned Parenthood Mar Monte and processed by Quest Diagnostics. Learn more.
Can I get tested for the virus at Community Hospital?
At Community Hospital, testing for the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is only appropriate for people who meet certain criteria. Criteria include both symptoms and assessment of risk factors, like known exposure to a person with COVID-19, travel, and consideration of chronic medical conditions. If you are not having any symptoms, then you would not be tested at this time.
What are the current criteria for being tested at Community Hospital for COVID-19?
Currently, criteria for testing include the presence of both symptoms and risk factors for COVID-19. Symptoms include fever and cough or shortness of breath. Risk factors taken into consideration for testing include direct contact with someone known to have COVID-19, travel in the last 14 days from an affected area, and presence of chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, heart, lung, or kidney disease.
Should I come to the hospital if I am ill and think I have COVID-19?
In order to minimize the chance of spreading contagious viral illnesses within the community, if you are not severely ill it is advised that you stay home and first call your doctor for advice. If you do not have a doctor, you should call the Monterey County Health Department at (831) 755-4500. If you have a severe illness, are unable to breathe or unable to care for your symptoms at home, then you should seek emergency medical care. You should wear a mask outside the home and inform the healthcare providers immediately upon arrival of your symptoms and exposure to COVID-19. If possible, call the healthcare facility in advance of your arrival to allow them time to prepare to avoid unnecessary exposures.
Should I wear a mask?
The CDC continues to study the spread and effects of COVID-19 and on April 3, 2020, issued a recommendation that cloth face coverings should be worn in public settings where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission. The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those are critical supplies that must continue to be reserved for healthcare workers and other medical first responders, as recommended by current CDC guidance.
How can I protect myself from getting infected?
Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer frequently and always before eating. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth or face with unwashed hands. Avoid close contact with other people who have a respiratory illness. Frequently wipe down high touch surfaces like kitchen countertops and bathroom surfaces with disinfecting wipes. If you do become sick, stay home to avoid spreading illness in the community.