Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

Due to the evolving nature of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19), this page will be updated as new information becomes available. 

Here at The Portland Clinic, we are actively monitoring the COVID-19 situation and we are working hard to keep our patients, staff and providers safe. With COVID-19 in our community, we understand that you may have questions or concerns surrounding the virus. Here’s what you need to know.

Your health is important to us

We have protocols in place and are taking extra precautions in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Oregon Health Authority (OHA). Several proactive efforts are underway across our clinics, including activities related to:

• Updating the screening protocols in our electronic health records to flag patients with possible COVID-19
• Regularly updating providers about the status of the outbreak and our evolving understanding of the biology of this disease
• Implementing a robust training program on the appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Conducting extra cleaning and isolation protocols
• Evaluating if patient appointments are appropriate for a telephone visit

Practice prevention

The same practices that stop the spread of the common cold and flu are recommended for COVID-19:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick, stay at home if you are sick, and avoid sending children to day care if they are sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your elbow when you cough or sneeze; then throw the tissue away and wash your hands.
• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces frequently touched by you and others (e.g., door handles, phones, keyboards, counters, pens, etc.)
• Stay home, save lives: follow state directives to stay at home as much as possible. Go out only for essentials, and stay at least 6 feet from others if you go out.

If you have symptoms

• For mild cold- or flu-like symptoms, including cough and fever, we encourage you to stay at home while you recover.
• For established patients of The Portland Clinic: If your symptoms worsen or you’ve been in close contact with a person known or suspected to have COVID-19, please call 503-221-0161 ext. 6801 to be triaged by a nurse. Please call to talk to one of our triage nurses BEFORE coming into a clinic. 
• If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, please dial 9-1-1.

PLEASE NOTE: For the health and safety of everyone in our clinic facilities, any patient entering with cold- or flu-like symptoms will be required to wear a mask, which will be provided. If you refuse, we will not be able to care for you at this time.

Getting tested

At this time, COVID-19 specimens are not being collected at The Portland Clinic.

For established patients of The Portland Clinic: If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop symptoms including a fever with cough or difficulty breathing, please call 503-221-0161 ext. 6801 to discuss your situation and next steps with one of our triage nurses.

For more information, including risk factors and when to seek immediate medical attention, please visit the CDC website.

Sign up for MyChart

Connect with your health care team at The Portland Clinic from the comfort of your home.

MyChart is a free, secure, online health management tool that connects patients to their health team at The Portland Clinic. Patients can communicate with their provider, access test results, view chart notes, pay their bill online, and much more.

Sign up for MyChart today.

Travel recommendations

For updated travel information related to COVID-19, please visit the CDC’s travel web page.

Helpful resources

For general information and updated status of COVID-19, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and/or the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).

• What you need to know about the 2019 Coronavirus (CDC-19) (pdf)
• Fight Germs. Wash Your Hands! English  Spanish
• What to do if you are sick with COVID-19 English  Spanish  Simplified Chinese
• Helping children cope with changes resulting from COVID-19 (web page)
• Working and learning from home during the COVID-19 outbreak English  Spanish