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Protecting Brevard

From COVID-19

Resources:

COVID-19 Testing

We are offering free COVID-19 testing to the public and our associates. To schedule a testing appointment, please call the Scheduling Office at 321.434.3131.

Drive-Up Testing:

Health First Medical Group Gateway
1223 Gateway Drive
Melbourne, FL 32901
Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to noon.
Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon
Testing is available by appointment only, a physician's lab order is required. These requirements will be waived for first responders.

How can I schedule a Virtual Visit?

For your convenience, Health First offers Virtual Visits seven days a week, all from the comfort of your home.

A Virtual Visit allows a patient to speak with a primary care physician or specialist regarding their health circumstances via phone or video chat. For more information, please call the Scheduling Office at 321.434.3131. Most health insurance plans cover the cost of a virtual visit with the same copay as an in-office visit. A $50 flat fee is also available.

In-Person Appointments

At Health First, your safety is our top priority.

If you have a procedure or test scheduled, we are open, safe and happy to welcome you. Virtual Visits are also available for primary care and a number of specialties. Please contact the Scheduling Office at 321.434.3131 to confirm or schedule an appointment.

What are the symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19)?

Common symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath, with severity ranging from mild to severe illness. Other common signs of infection include runny nose, headache, cough, sore throat, fever, a loss of sense of smell for some patients, and a general feeling of being unwell. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please utilize our free COVID-19 Symptom Checker tool at the bottom of the page to determine what type of care you need.

Stop the Spread

What are some healthy habits that CDC suggests to help stop the spread of COVID-19?

Physical Contact - Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Avoid Touching Face - Avoid touching your eyes nose and mouth
Have a cough or cold? - Cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hand
Keep Hands Clean - Wash your hands often with soap for at least 20 seconds
Clean Surfaces - Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
Feeling Sick? - Stay home when you're feeling sick (and keep sick children home)

COVID-19 Information Line

Health First now offers a free COVID-19 Information Line. Call 321.434.3636, to access general COVID-19 information as well as get connected to a variety of Health First facilities and services.

Universal Masking Policy

Health First has adopted a universal masking policy to give our patients and associates an added layer of protection not only from COVID-19, but any airborne illness. This policy requires all who come through our doors to wear face masks.

Mask Donations

Members of our community continue to ask about providing homemade masks for Health First, and we THANK YOU! Donated masks will be gladly accepted and used in accordance with CDC guidelines.

  • Length: 7 inches
  • Width: 3 ½ inches
  • Height of ear loop: 2 ½ inches

Cloth mask donations can be dropped off at the following location:

Health First Distribution Center
7195 Waelti Drive,
Melbourne, FL 32940
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Monday through Friday).

Health First's Hospital COVID-19 Visitor Guidelines

To protect our patients and their loved ones, we have implemented the following visitation policy at our hospitals to ensure the safest possible environment. Effective Tuesday, August 18, patients at any of our four hospitals may have one visitor at a time and can switch out visitors. Visitors must adhere to the following:

  • All visitors must be subject to and pass entry screening criteria upon each entry and re-entry.
  • Standard visitation hours will be from 7:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.
  • This does not apply to end-of-life visitation.
  • This does not apply to our Emergency Rooms. One visitor will be allowed anytime into the ER with a patient.
  • Patients admitted outside of visitation hours will be allowed to have one visitor accompany them to the unit and stay until the patient is settled into their room.
  • Masks must be worn by visitors at all times.
  • No overnight visitation
    • Exceptions for pediatrics and maternity services. (See below.)

We encourage our patients who are hospitalized to utilize smartphones and other technologies to have virtual visits with their loved ones. An iPad will be provided to patients upon request, based on availability.

Visitor Policy Exceptions:

Emergency Room

  • Patients in the emergency room may have one visitor at bedside. Patient awaiting a ride may wait in the waiting room.
  • In the event a patient is not able to give or receive medical information, a visitor may accompany them into the ER for the purpose of the evaluation and disposition - as defined by the ER provider.
  • For an adult (parent/guardian) presenting for treatment in the ER with an accompanying child, that child may be allowed to remain with the adult.

Pediatric Patients

  • May have two visitors who must either be parents or guardians.

Maternity Services & NICU

  • May have one visitor with the exception of a patient who has a certified doula. In this case, the patient may have both the support person and certified doula.

Surgical or Cardiac Catheterization Patient

  • Patients who come in for surgery or a procedure and are admitted can have one visitor accompany them to their room.

COVID-19 positive and Patients Under Investigation (PUI) for COVID-19 will not be allowed any visitors - with the exception of end of life patients:

End of Life

  • Two visitors and one clergy member will be allowed
  • Visitation is limited to one visit, lasting up to 30 minutes
  • Visitors will be pre-screened in advance and must pass hospital screening questions and requirements upon entry

Medical Record Requests

Due to our strict visitation policy guidelines, patients requesting medical records are not permitted to come onsite at this time. To request records, patients have the option to submit a request online or call 321.434.3288 for hospital-based records, or 321.549.0695 for Health First Medical Group records.
Click Here for more information or to submit an online request.

Frequently Asked Questions

Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). COVID-19 is a "novel" coronavirus (nCoV) — that basically means it's a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.

COVID-19 is usually transmitted by droplets from one infected individual to another — for example, when someone sneezes or coughs within six feet of another person. If someone with COVID-19 touches a surface or object, the virus can linger on that surface. After a person is initially infected, it may take up to 14 days before they test positive or develop the symptoms of COVID-19.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough and shortness of breath. Some people who are infected might also have aches and pains, nasal congestion, a runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms tend to start off mild and begin gradually.

Keep in mind, some people who become infected with COVID-19 don't show symptoms or feel unwell. Most people recover without needing special treatment.

Much of the concern lies with the elderly or people with underlying health problems, such as chronic lung disease. In severe cases, it may cause pneumonia or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). COVID-19 does not appear to be as virulent as other coronaviruses, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

Health First has been in constant contact with our local health department, as well as monitoring directions from the Florida Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). We are screening all visitors and vendors who enter our facilities. We are evaluating our employees to ensure they are healthy and able to work. We are enforcing infection prevention measures. We are well-trained and knowledgeable in managing patients with infectious respiratory illnesses and will continue to follow our established protocols. It's important to stay calm and remember that we're prepared — and regularly train for situations like this.

Since COVID-19 is so new, there is no vaccine at the moment. There is also no specific treatment for the virus. Treatment is supportive, particularly when people with other health conditions find their conditions are made worse by the infection.

Respiratory etiquette is critical to stay healthy. It's important to stick to the basics, such as:

  • Avoiding contact with others if you are sick or they are
  • Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when sneezing (or sneezing into the crook of your elbow)
  • Throwing away used tissues immediately
  • Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds. If you don't have access to soap and water, use hand sanitizer that is 60% alcohol-based.
  • Air-dry your hands or use a clean towel to dry your hands
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
  • Clean and disinfect "high-touch" areas and objects often. This means regularly disinfecting counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tables and bedside tables - places where COVID-19 could possibly linger.
  • Clean any surfaces that have blood, stool or any bodily fluids on them
  • Avoid sharing food or drinks with others
  • Take care of yourself - get adequate sleep and eat well-balanced meals
  • Call your doctor before visiting
  • Wear a face mask when coming into contact with others who may or may not have been exposed to airborne illnesses.

If you do test positive, it's important to do the following:

  • Stay home except to get medical care
  • Separate yourself from other people and animals in your home
  • Call ahead before visiting your doctor - this is crucial, so the office can properly prepare for your arrival and safeguard the well-being of others
  • Wear a facemask when around others
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes
  • Wash your hands frequently
  • Don't share personal household items
  • Clean all "high-touch" surfaces