You must meet these criteria to be tested at most OHSU sites. See additional options in the sections below, including for those who do not meet testing criteria.

• If you are a Kaiser, Legacy or Providence patient, you will be directed to those health care systems. Please see the section below for your testing options.
• If you are an OHSU employee, please see testing information on O2.
• See our flyer on OHSU testing criteria and locations .

Those with symptoms:

People over age 2 months can be tested if they have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion (stuffy nose) or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Those without symptoms:

You can get tested if you meet any of the following:

• You are giving birth, or you are having surgery or another qualifying procedure at OHSU.
• You have been in close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
• You identify as one or more of the following:
  • Black, African American, Latino, Latina, Latinx, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Asian American or Pacific Islander.
  • You have a disability.
  • English is not your first language.
  • You live or work in a congregate setting — a group home; school; long-term care center; a jail, prison or other correctional facility; a food-processing plant; an agricultural workplace — and were exposed to COVID-19.

We recommend against testing:

• More than once a week unless you have new symptoms.
• Less than 90 days after a positive test unless you have new symptoms or a new need for testing.

OHSU’s testing criteria follow Oregon Health Authority and CDC recommendations. Guidelines may change at any time based on updated recommendations.

• Wait times may vary depending on demand, and the site may close early.
• We strongly recommend wearing a mask in the car with someone who has symptoms that could be from COVID-19.
• The first two hours are reserved for patients of OHSU (including Hillsboro Medical Center and Adventist), household members of OHSU employees, and first responders. This schedule enables us to serve as a public resource while meeting the needs of patients.

OHSU Health Testing and Vaccination Site, Portland
Coronavirus tests and flu shots
Portland Expo Center
2060 N. Marine Drive
Portland, OR 97217

Hours:

• Monday - Thursday: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. 

• OHSU Immediate Care Clinic, Beaverton
  15700 S.W. Greystone Court
  Beaverton, OR 97006
  By appointment only (usually available same or next day)
  Weekdays, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  503-494-1700
   
• OHSU Health Hillsboro Medical Center Immediate Care, South Hillsboro
  7545 S.E. Tualatin Valley Highway
  Hillsboro, OR 97213
  By appointment only (usually available same or next day)
  Weekdays, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 
  503-681-4223
   
• OHSU Health Hillsboro Medical Center Immediate Care, Forest Grove
  1825 Maple St.
  Forest Grove, OR 97116
  By appointment only (usually available same or next day)
  Weekdays, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 
  503-359-6180

Vans are bringing COVID-19 tests to three regions of Oregon. Learn more and make an appointment.

Those who are at least 2 months old may be tested at two OHSU sites.

• You can be from any health system. Exception: If you need a test before a procedure or surgery, contact the health care organization where it's scheduled.
• If you are getting a test for travel, check with your destination for specific requirements.
• Both sites also serve those who DO meet OHSU testing criteria.

Drive-up testing (no appointment needed):

• Portland Expo Center
  2060 N. Marine Drive
  Portland, OR 97217
  Hours:
  • Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
  • Friday: 7:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Appointment-only testing (usually available same or next day):

• OHSU Immediate Care Clinic, Beaverton
  15700 S.W. Greystone Court
  Beaverton, OR 97006
  Hours: Weekdays, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  503-494-1700

Find information about OHSU coronavirus testing for employees.

Learn about your testing options:

• Legacy Medical Group patients: Visit Legacy Health’s pages on COVID-19 Testing or Urgent Care/Virtual Visits.
• Kaiser Permanente patients: Call 1-800-813-2000 (TTY 711) 24/7 or find information on Kaiser’s website.
• Providence Health Plan patients: See the Providence page on testing sites. This page also serves established patients of Providence providers.

In addition, people from all three systems may seek testing at our two sites for those who do not meet testing criteria. Please see the section above.

• Oregon Health Authority: See the agency's test-site finder.
• Multnomah County: The county offers no-cost testing in Gresham two days a week for those with symptoms. Call 503-988-8939 for an appointment or learn more on the county’s COVID-19 Testing page.
• Washington County: The county lists testing options on its website.
• American Family Care: Testing is available every day at five locations. Provider screening is required. Call 503-305-6262 or visit the Telemedicine/Urgent Care page.
• Molecular Vision
• Rite-Aid
• Walgreens
• ZOOM+Care

Do you have questions about coronavirus symptoms and care? If so, please contact your primary care provider. If you don’t have one, call us at 833-OHSU-CCC (833-647-8222), and we'll answer your questions. We are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.

Try our screening tool in MyChart, our online patient portal. The tool asks you to fill out a brief questionnaire, then provides guidance on next steps. You'll need to sign in to MyChart as an OHSU patient.

• You can download the MyChart app from Apple or Google.
• Or you can log in to MyChart on a desktop or laptop.

Under Oregon law, people with disabilities have the right to have support from people they trust while they are in the emergency department or the hospital.

For patients who need help communicating with hospital staff, making health care decisions or engaging in activities of daily living because of a disability, including, but not limited to:

• A  physical, intellectual, behavioral or cognitive impairment
• Deafness, being hard of hearing or other communication barrier
• Blindness
• Autism
• Dementia

You can name at least three support people (friends, family, paid or unpaid personal care assistant, etc.) to help you.

You can always have at least one support person with you:

• In the emergency room.
• During your hospital stay if you need help with your care.

The hospital must make sure you have a support person with you:

• For any talk about hospice care.
• When you consider signing an advance directive or POLST (physician orders for life-sustaining treatment) form.

Support people must comply with infection-control standards and the OHSU visitor policy.

• Read our full policy on patient rights and responsibilities.
• Learn about our patient complaint process.

Notes:

• The patient or their representative decides whether support is needed.
• Treatment should still be guided by an existing POLST, advance directive or similar instruction.
• “Support person” means a family member, guardian, personal care assistant or other paid or unpaid attendant selected by the patient to physically or emotionally assist the patient or ensure effective communication with the patient.

Patients can bring one healthy person who is 18 or older.

Exception: New parents can bring their baby who is 6 months or younger to the OHSU Center for Women's Health for postpartum and other visits. Older children cannot come with you.  If needed, we can offer you a visit by video or phone instead. 

• One healthy person age 18 or older at a time may visit a patient in the hospital. 

• Two healthy people age 18 or older per stay may visit:
  • A patient in labor or who just had a baby.

• One healthy parent or guardian at a time may visit:
  • A newborn in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
  • A child having a procedure or surgery.
  • A child in our outpatient clinics.

• Two healthy parents or guardians at a time may visit:
  • A baby in the hospital nursery.
  • A child's hospital room.

• Two healthy people age 18 or older per day may visit a patient at the same time during end-of-life care.

For adult patients:

• One healthy person age 18 or older may accompany a patient to the waiting area. The support person will not be allowed in the pre/post-procedure area except:
  • Under Oregon law, patients may have a visitor if they need help from a support person because of a language barrier or disability; if they need help with activities of daily living or receiving treatment; or to ensure the safety of the patient or health care workers. Every effort will be made to arrange this in advance.
  • Any patient, temporarily, to learn discharge instructions for when the person leaves the hospital.
• Patients are required to have a responsible adult take them home. Because of limited space to allow for physical distancing, we ask that the person do one of the following:
  • Return home if they live within 50 miles of OHSU and the surgery is expected to last at least three hours.
  • Wait in their car in a place with good cell service.
  • Wait in a designated waiting area.

For children:

• One healthy adult can be with a pediatric patient for check-in and in the pre/post-procedure area.

• Prenatal visits: One healthy person age 18 or older may come with you.
• Labor and delivery: Two healthy people age 18 or older can come with you into the hospital and to the labor floor. We ask that they stay with you at all times.

See the “Visiting patients in the hospital” section above for more details on visits with new moms and newborns.

Patients have the right to refuse COVID-19 testing when seeking emergency care at OHSU. Any patients who come to OHSU with an emergency, including active labor, will receive care regardless of whether they agree to testing.

When COVID testing is declined, health care personnel base their use of PPE on the assumption that the patient could have COVID-19. Our visitor policy describes when visitors are allowed for patients who have tested positive for the coronavirus.

Surgeries, procedures and appointments: Most services are available. To check on upcoming appointments, you can call your clinic or check MyChart.

Clinical trials: OHSU halted in-person visits for studies that are not medically necessary. Contact your team or principal investigator with questions specific to your study.

Events: Many events have been canceled. You should hear from organizers, or check the event listing.

COVID-19 is considered “long COVID-19” when symptoms last longer than 28 days. We  offer a program and team of specialists to help you manage this condition.

You’ll meet with one of the team’s providers, then the team will develop a care plan. Your primary care provider (at OHSU or in the community) will manage your care, referring you to any specialist you might need.

• Questions? Call 833-OHSU-CCC (833-647-8222).
• Refer a patient: Fax your referral to 503-346-6854.

Learn more: OHSU launches Long COVID-19 Program to better serve patients with chronic coronavirus symptoms

Marquam Hill campus

In addition to the many coffee/tea kiosks open around campus, you can almost always find food a few steps away at one of the following locations.

Cafe on Third
OHSU Hospital, 3rd floor
Always open

It's All Good - Natural Food Store
OHSU Hospital, 9th floor
Weekdays, 7:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Plaza Cafe
Hatfield Research Building, 9th floor
Weekdays, 6:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Sam's Cafe
Sam Jackson Hall, 1st floor
Weekdays, 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Nightingale Cafe
School of Nursing, first floor
Weekdays, 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

20/20 Cafe
Casey Eye Institute, first floor
Weekdays,
7:30 - 9:30 a.m.
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

It's All Good @ Casey Coffee Shop
Casey Eye Institute, first floor
Weekdays, 6:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Mackenzie Hall Cafe
Mackenzie Hall, first floor
Weekdays, 6:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Doernbecher Starbucks
Doernbecher Children's Hospital, first floor
Weekdays, 5 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Weekends, 5:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

South Waterfront campus

Daily Cafe
Center for Health & Healing Building 1, first floor
Weekdays, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Daily Cafe Coffee Bar
Center for Health & Healing Building 1, first floor atrium
Weekdays, 6:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Learn how OHSU is protecting patients so you can be comfortable getting health care for yourself and your family members. We’ve greatly expanded virtual video visits. We’ve also added a range of screening, distancing and cleaning measures.

Download our guide on preparing for surgery

Download our guide on preparing for other procedures

Early studies suggested that blood type could affect the risk of getting the coronavirus and becoming seriously ill from it. Newer studies (from New York Presbyterian Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital), though, found little difference. In any case, OHSU is unable to do blood-type tests unless medically necessary.

Tram: The Portland Aerial Tram is open for patients but not the public. Capacity is limited. Learn more and find alternatives.

Transportation and parking: Find detailed updates on OHSU parking, shuttles, badge access, bike valet services, ride sharing and more.

OHSU is grateful for the many generous food donations for our front-line staff during this crisis. We ask that you please help us make sure that donations are orderly and safe by donating money through our partner, Frontline Foods PDX.

You can designate OHSU as the recipient. Your gift to this volunteer-run chapter of the national Frontline Foods network is tax-deductible.

The OHSU Foundation has created a fund to help OHSU leaders meet urgent COVID-19 needs. Your donation will help OHSU supply our health care providers with the resources they need to care for patients and to stop the spread.

• Oregon data based on Facebook surveys shows of people who haven’t been vaccinated, 64.5 % of those polled would accept a vaccine. They were more likely to if recommended by doctors. Those who hesitate to get the vaccine gave reasons such as side effects and safety.
• A fast scenario for forecasting vaccinations has been adjusted to account for J&J reductions in supply.
• Older age groups are plateauing in vaccine rates and younger groups are beginning to increase.
• Test positivity is at 4.2% with stable testing volume in Oregon.
• Oregon cases continued to increase in the recent week. Oregon now has the 13^th lowest cases in the U.S.
• Average risk level in the state continued to move up as of April 4.

• Hospitalizations have continued to increase, as of April 7 Oregon has 171 hospitalized COVID-19 patients. ICU utilization is also up at a rate of 8% for COVID-19 patients.
• The hospitalization rate of COVID in Oregon is 3.4% and we expect it to remain somewhat low.
• As of April 7, about 73% of people older than age 80 have received their first dose, and about 72% of Oregonians in the 70 to 80 age range have received their first dose. 47% of 60–70-year-olds and 28% of those 50-60 have received a dose.
• Oregon has provided first dose to 28.1% of its population, ranking it 33rd in the U.S.

• Modeling of variant share of cases now includes more than one variant, fast and slow moving, and scenarios on whether the California or UK variant becomes dominant. The primary scenario forecasted is that eventually the UK variant will cause continued increases in cases and hospitalizations into mid-May before we see a reasonable decline.
• Policy effectiveness continues to decline. The forecast shows the potential impacts to rising cases if the policies are not triggered in time.
• As of April 7, 68% of the Oregon population is still susceptible to the virus either because they have not been infected or vaccinated or because time until vaccine effectiveness is reached has not elapsed.

COVID-19 vaccines

Visit our COVID-19 Vaccines: Information and Appointments page to: 

• Find out if you are eligible for a vaccine and, if so, make an appointment (supplies permitting)
• Find locations and hours of OHSU vaccination sites
• Learn how to prepare for and what to expect at your appointment
• Find information on vaccine safety and benefits
• Find a vaccine FAQ and where to learn more

COVID-19 information

• Oregon Health Authority COVID-19 Updates
• Building a Safe and Strong Oregon, Oregon governor’s office
• COVID-19, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• COVID-19 guidance for businesses, Multnomah County Health

FAQ

• COVID-19: Frequently Asked Questions, Oregon Health Authority
• Frequently Asked Questions, CDC
• COVID-19 Q&A, World Health Organization

• COVID-19 Vaccines: Information and Appointments, OHSU

Community resources

• Call 211 from a mobile phone.
• Call 503-222-5555 from a landline.
• Email help@211.com for general information.

Health departments

• Clackamas County Health
• Multnomah County Health
• Washington County Health
• Public health departments statewide

News sources

These news organizations either have no paywall or have made some coronavirus stories available to everyone:

• The Oregonian/OregonLive
• OPB
• KGW
• KOIN
• KPTV
• KATU
• The Seattle Times
• The Washington Post
• The New York Times
• The Associated Press

Information by topic

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has information on:

• CDC Coronavirus Self-Checker
• How to protect yourself and others
• If you are sick or caring for someone
• People at increased risk
• Racial and ethnic health disparities
• Pregnancy, breastfeeding and caring for newborns
• Children, teens and young adults
• Pets and other animals
• Daily activities and going out
• Stress and coping
• Masks
• Travel
• Community, work and school

• COVID-19 information on O2
• Information on COVID-19 vaccines on O2 
• Teleworking information on O2
• COVID-19 Wellness

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a series of videos on COVID-19 in American Sign Language. See one here and find the full series on YouTube.

Oregon

As of July 1, 2020, Oregonians are required to wear a face covering over their mouth and nose in indoor public spaces. The Oregon Health Authority  also recommends that people use face coverings in business and public settings.

U.S.

The CDC recommends that people wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth in any public place where it’s difficult to maintain physical distancing. Examples would be in a grocery store or pharmacy.

See CDC instructions for making a cloth face covering:

• In a downloadable PDF
• In a video

The CDC has updated mask recommendations. New research shows these options can greatly increase protection from the coronavirus.

Be sure your mask fits snugly:

The coronavirus: The virus itself is called SARS-CoV-2, short for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2.

The disease: COVID-19 is the illness caused by SARS-CoV-2. COVID stands for coronavirus disease, and 19 refers to the year it started.

Background: Coronaviruses are part of a large group of viruses that cause illness. Some coronaviruses cause mild illness, such as the common cold. Others can cause serious illness, such as COVID-19.

According to the CDC, symptoms are:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

If you see emergency signs, call 911 or your emergency department. They are:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to awaken or to stay awake
• Bluish lips or face
• Other severe symptoms

According to the CDC, symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

Vaccines: The FDA has granted emergency-use authorization to three vaccines: by Pfizer-BioNTech, by Moderna and by Johnson & Johnson.

Learn more: 

• COVID-19 Vaccines: Information and Appointments, OHSU
• CDC FAQ on vaccines

Medications: The FDA has approved several medications to treat COVID-19 in specific instances and for certain patients. See a list on this FDA web page, under "Drug and Biological Products."

Yes. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends keeping and not delaying well-child visits for all ages (infants, children and adolescents). Vaccinations are essential to protecting all children against dangerous and preventable diseases such as measles, meningitis and whooping cough.

The AAP recommends:

• All well-child visits should take place in person whenever possible, with the providers who have routinely seen your children.
• Clinics who care for children should call families who have missed an in-person visit to reschedule.
• Families should not delay visits to their child's doctors (pediatricians, family medicine or nurse practitioners, physician assistants.)
• Children and youths who regularly see specialists should resume, and those who are referred to specialists should complete these visits.

The AAP says some well-child visits can start through a virtual visit (by video or phone) but that parts of these visits must be done in person. At Doernbecher clinics, we are doing well-child visits only in person.

Learn how OHSU is keeping patients, visitors and staff safe.  

Coronavirus tests

These tests detect the virus itself. A sample is taken, usually by inserting a swab into the person’s nose to collect mucus. Tests on the sample show if there’s any genetic material from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

The tests show if someone is infected with the coronavirus. If someone has symptoms, the tests can show that the coronavirus is the cause. 

Antibody tests

Antibody tests detect antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Antibodies are tiny proteins that the body’s immune system releases into the bloodstream to fight infection.

If someone has antibodies, it means the person had enough exposure to the coronavirus to have an immune response, with or without symptoms. For this test, a person gives a blood sample. These tests are also called serum tests or serology tests.

OHSU recommends against getting an antibody test unless:

• There is a clear medical reason.
• There is a plan for how your health care provider will use the results.

OHSU also recommends against having an antibody test to:

• Decide if you should get a COVID-19 vaccine.
• Try to determine how you will respond to a vaccine.

There is no evidence that food or food packaging can transmit COVID-19. However, it’s important to follow food safety standards to help protect workers and customers from COVID-19.

In general, because of poor survivability of coronaviruses on surfaces, there is probably very low risk of spread from food products or packaging.

Learn more:

• CDC on food safety
• FDA on food safety
• USDA coronavirus FAQ

According to the CDC, the risk of spread via mail or packaging is low. COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person to person. Also remember that it’s a good idea in general to wash your hands often.

It may be possible to get COVID-19 by touching something that has the virus on it, then touching the mouth, nose or eyes. Health experts don’t think this is a main way the virus spreads, but the CDC still recommends cleaning and disinfecting surfaces.

The virus lasts on surfaces for varying amounts of time. It tends to survive longer on metals, hard plastics and cardboard.

It’s important to routinely disinfect surfaces that are used often, such as doorknobs and tables. Also disinfect surfaces that are suspected of being infected. Washing your hands often with soap or hand sanitizer is also encouraged.