Care for COVID-19 and Respiratory Symptoms
For More InformationIf you have flu-like or upper respiratory symptoms -- such as congestion, runny nose, cough, fever, shortness of breath, new loss of taste or smell, and sore throat -- or you are concerned that you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, please take the following precautions to seek care. Duke respiratory care clinics in Durham and Raleigh help us keep your care separate from individuals with other medical needs who do not have symptoms of coronavirus and other respiratory illnesses.
Please note: COVID testing is currently not provided to people without symptoms as a way to prove a negative result for travel, schools, or other reasons. COVID testing is only available through an appointment when COVID-19 is suspected. Use this link to find a North Carolina testing site.
How to Get Care
If You Are a Current Duke Patient
Contact your doctor first. They will assess your symptoms and the next steps. Your doctor will schedule a virtual or office visit to determine if you should:
- visit a COVID-19 drive-up testing site
- be seen in-person at a Duke Health Respiratory Care Clinic.
You may schedule a visit with Duke Virtual Urgent Care if you have mild symptoms -- low-grade fever, runny nose, body aches, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, or a mild cough. You must have a Duke MyChart account to schedule the appointment. Please note: children under six years of age and pregnant women cannot be evaluated through this virtual option and should contact their doctor directly.
Appointments Are Required for Respiratory Care or COVID Testing
If your doctor determines that you should receive a COVID-19 test or be seen at a Duke Health Respiratory Care Clinic, they will make the appointment on your behalf.
Please call your Duke doctor before coming in so we can give you instructions on how to receive your care.
If You Are Not a Current Duke Patient
Please call:
- Duke Health COVID-19 Hotline: 919-385-0429
- Available daily from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
If Your Symptoms Are Severe
If you have severe respiratory symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Duke Health Anywhere offers an on-call doctor 24/7 whether or not you are a Duke patient. Sign up at dukehealth.org/anywhere.
Help Us Learn More by Participating in Research
If you have flu-like symptoms, have been tested for or confirmed to have COVID-19, or are concerned about COVID-19 exposure and would like to track your symptoms twice a day for four weeks, please consider enrolling in the Pandemic Response Network: Duke Community Health Watch.
Participate in COVID-19 Research Studies
Long at the forefront of infectious disease and vaccine research, Duke Health is now actively studying prevention, treatment, and long-term recovery for COVID-19 patients. By participating in a clinical trial, you can help advance our search for a cure and could be among the first to benefit from our discoveries. View the directory.