Response to COVID-19

Reporting Positive COVID Test Results

If you have recently tested positive for COVID-19 at a non-Hopkins site, please submit your results via this online form.

COVID-19 Testing Dashboard

View the JHU COVID-19 Testing Dashboard for a summary of data on testing and test-positive cases among affiliates whose testing is conducted by the JHCCC and whose results have been reported in the Johns Hopkins Electronic Medical Records system.

To our Johns Hopkins students from the Homewood and Peabody campuses who use our services, the Student Health and Wellness Center remains open during the COVID-19 crisis and are here to assist you with your healthcare needs. Below you’ll find information regarding our current operating procedures as well as specific information regarding our COVID-19 response.

Updated information on the university’s operations and response can be found on the JHU COVID Information site. For additional health and wellness resources, please visit the university’s well-being website.

Scheduling & Appointments

The Student Health and Wellness Center can be reached by calling 410-516-8270.

Please note:

  • Online scheduling has been temporarily disabled.
  • When the clinic is closed you will be connected with our nurse advice line by calling our main number.
  • Please call us rather than come in, so that initial guidance can be provided by phone. We will screen all patients for COVID-19 before making an appointment or having you stop in.

Telemedicine Appointments

We have added telemedicine (via Doxy.me) as a service.

  • Typically we can only provide telemedicine services for students who are in Maryland.
  • For students outside of Maryland, we can determine what services we are legally allowed to provide based on your state regulations.
  • See the detailed section on telemedicine for more information.

In-Person Appointments

For in-person visits, you may notice that we have less staff in the office and that visits may be spaced out. You may also notice that we have rearranged our waiting and staffing areas to promote physical distancing.

Additionally, please note:

  • If an in-person visit is medically necessary, please avoid bringing family and friends.
  • If you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 (e.g. fever and shortness of breath), please schedule your own symptomatic COVID test via myChart, or call the Johns Hopkins COVID Call Center (JHCCC) at 443-287-8500 and they will determine whether you meet the criteria for testing.
    • The JHCCC is ordering tests for those who meet criteria set by Johns Hopkins Infection Control—these criteria continue to be updated on a regular basis as the pandemic progresses. They will use the most current guidelines for testing when they assess you over the phone.
    • If the JHCCC orders a COVID-19 test, it could take up to 24 hours to arrange for this test on a weekday. If your test is being ordered on a weekend, you will be contacted the next business day to arrange testing.
    • It is taking an average of 1-2 business days to get results.

Testing for COVID-19

Two kinds of tests are available for COVID-19:

  • A viral test (an oral or nasal swab or a saliva test) tells you if you have a current infection
  • A serology antibody test (blood test) tells you if you had a recent or prior infection

Learn more about the current COVID-19 tests in the Coronavirus Resource Center.

Using the guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and under the direction of Johns Hopkins Hospital, the Johns Hopkins COVID Call Center is only ordering viral tests.

Should you be tested?

  • Do you currently have symptoms consistent with COVID-19? These include:
    • fever
    • cough
    • sore throat
    • runny nose or congestion
    • muscle aches
    • fatigue
    • diarrhea or vomiting
    • headache
    • unexplained loss of sense of taste or smell
  • In the past two weeks, have you recently been exposed (<6 feet) to someone with confirmed COVID-19 for a prolonged time (≥15 minutes)?
  • Were you advised by a health care professional to get tested?

If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, you are encouraged to schedule your own symptomatic COVID test via myChart, or contact the Johns Hopkins COVID Call Center at 443-287-8500 to determine if you meet JHH criteria for testing.

If you answer “no” to all these questions, you do not meet JHH criteria for testing at this time.

Hopkins Testing Locations

When your test is scheduled you will be given the choice of different testing sites. Some of these locations are listed below.

Homewood

3101 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218

Mon-Fri 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Sat 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

East Baltimore

1550 McElderry Street
Baltimore, MD 21287

Mon-Sat 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Bayview

4940 Eastern Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21224

Mon-Fri 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Sun 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Transportation to Testing

You will need to walk, drive yourself in a private car, or arrange private transport. Do not use public transportation. We recommend using the Yellow Cab Company as they have a protocol in place for transporting people to testing centers.

To arrange transport with the Yellow Cab Company there are several options:

  • Call 410-685-7907
  • Book online
  • Download the free zTrip app

You need to text a note saying “COVID TESTING” to notify the driver

Other Local Testing Resources

***Please note – if you are tested at a location outside Hopkins please complete this online form, so that you can receive appropriate follow-up advice and contact analysis***

If you wish to get tested elsewhere, consider the following local resources:

If you have recently participated in a large gathering/event but do not have any symptoms, it’s best to wait 5–7 days after the event (median incubation time for the virus) before getting tested.

Information on Antibody Testing

At this time, antibody testing is not routinely recommended and the SHWC does not provide this service. If you would like to pay out of pocket, you can contact Quest Direct to order your own test, which currently costs $119.

Be advised, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

“Serologic testing should not be used to determine immune status in individuals until the presence, durability, and duration of immunity is established.” And “Some tests may exhibit cross-reactivity with other coronaviruses, such as those that cause the common cold. This could result in false-positive test results. Some persons may not develop detectable antibodies after coronavirus infection. In others, it is possible that antibody levels could wane over time to undetectable levels. IgM and IgG antibodies are not present early in infection. Thus, serologic test results do not indicate with certainty the presence or absence of current or previous infection with SARS-CoV-2.”

Please also be aware that certain labs are claiming that you can get these tests done, free to you, where they will bill your insurance. However, that appears to only be the case if it is deemed medically necessary by your insurance, so you may still incur a bill by getting tested in this way. We recommend that you contact your insurance company first if you chose to get tested.

Staying Safe

The best way to prevent COVID-19 is to avoid being exposed to this virus. The more closely you interact with others and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread. To minimize your risk of getting and spreading COVID consider implementing the following:

Telemedicine at the SHWC

The Student Health and Wellness Center is pleased to announce the introduction of telemedicine for our students from the Homewood and Peabody campuses. You can now see a medical provider for treatment using online services for many common medical conditions, via telemedicine appointments. All appointments will utilize the Doxy.me application to maintain a secure network. Telemedicine visits are free of charge.

Appointments

Telemedicine visits with our highly trained medical staff, including our physicians and nurse practitioners, are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m to 4 p.m.

Appointments must be scheduled ahead of time by calling 410-516-8270 from 8:30 a.m to 4:45 p.m EST.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a telemedicine visit through SHWC:

  • You must be a student from the Homewood or Peabody campus.
  • You must have access to the SHWC web portal to securely communicate with your provider before and after your appointment.
  • You must have the Telehealth, Telemedicine Services Acknowledgement completed and submitted, along with completing any relevant patient visit forms prior to your appointment. You will be sent an email with instructions once you book your appointment.
  • In most cases, you must be physically located in the State of Maryland during your visit. This allows the SHWC to remain compliant with state and federal telehealth regulations.

Prior to your telehealth visit, please ensure the following:

  • You are familiar with how to access the Doxy.me application.
  • You are in a private location.
  • You have a list of your medications available, both prescription and over-the-counter.
  • If you have a thermometer or blood pressure cuff, please have them available to assist your provider with your visit.
  • Consider using headphones or earbuds to increase privacy and decrease background noise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is telemedicine?

Telemedicine is a provider appointment which uses both audio and visual technology to provide clinical services from a remote location, allowing medical care in a convenient and secure environment.

Who is eligible for telemedicine?

All currently enrolled Homewood and Peabody students are eligible for telemedicine visits at SHWC. Patients are required to be physically located in the state of Maryland at the time of their telemedicine visit. For students outside of Maryland, please contact us, so we can determine what services we are legally allowed to provide based on your state regulations.

What are the benefits of telemedicine?

Telemedicine allows you to:

  • Continue your relationship with your medical provider or establish a relationship with a new provider without coming to the office
  • Remain in your own safe and secure location while addressing common ailments and handling routine problems typically treated and seen at the SHWC.
  • Schedule medical visits at a time that is convenient for you between classes or other obligations.
  • Save money and inconvenience on transportation and parking.
  • Save time by limiting travel to the SHWC.
  • Avoid having to come out in inclement weather.

What types of provider visits are available via telemedicine?

Please call the SHWC appointment line at 410-516-8270 and a patient service coordinator will determine if your medical concern can be addressed by a telemedicine visit. Some examples include (but are not limited to):

  • STI screening without symptoms
  • Rashes
  • Acne
  • Birth control
  • Specialty referrals
  • And many more!

How do I schedule a telemedicine visit?

Call our patient service coordinators at 410-516-8270, and they will be happy to guide you through the appointment process and send you an email with the information on how to access the consent form and patient visit forms, along with the link to the virtual provider appointment.

What hours are available for telemedicine visits?

The SHWC is currently offering telemedicine visits between 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding university holidays.

How do I know my telemedicine visit will be private and secure?

The Doxy.me application that Johns Hopkins University uses is deemed compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and is considered private and secure.

How do I prepare for my telemedicine visit?

Prior to your telemedicine visit please ensure:

  • You are familiar with how to access the Doxy.me application.
  • You are in a private location.
  • You have a list of your medications available, both prescription and over-the-counter, or have your medication bottles with you.
  • Consider using headphones or earbuds to increase privacy and decrease background noise.
  • If you have a thermometer or blood pressure cuff, please have them available to assist your provider with your visit.

What happens if I miss my appointment?

We would appreciate advance notice if you are unable to keep your appointment. We will make an attempt to reschedule you as soon as possible if the schedule permits.

What if I need lab work completed?

If your provider orders lab work, immunizations, a blood pressure check, or other services that cannot be done in a virtual visit, the provider will order these for you and assist you in scheduling an office visit for these, or have you call the office number to have a patient service coordinator assist you. You must be free of upper respiratory symptoms and wear a face covering to your visit.