PLEASE NOTE: As of April 2023, Penn State Health has streamlined the information provided on this page and will only update it as necessary.
Important Information About COVID-19
COVID-19 Updates at Penn State Health
For updated information from Penn State Health about COVID-19, visit our Newsroom by clicking on the link below.
Symptomatic COVID-19 testing locations for Penn State Health Patients
Patients should reach out to their primary care provider to discuss symptoms and determine whether they need testing.
Masking Guidelines
Penn State Health has revised its masking requirements. (As of 4/24/2023)
After three years of caring for patients throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Penn State Health has made masking optional in most areas. Wearing a level-1 (surgical grade) mask is still necessary in non-private areas in the Emergency Department as well as in the Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Unit, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Adult Hematology-Oncology Unit. Additionally, anyone experiencing runny nose, sore throat or cough is asked to wear a mask while in any Penn State Health hospital or outpatient location.
Visitation Guidelines
Penn State Health has revised its patient visitation guidelines. (As of 4/18/2022)
These visitation guidelines apply to all Penn State Health care settings with the exception of COVID-19 units. Contact your patient’s care team before visiting if you have questions about how the policy applies to you.
Penn State Health staff will continue to monitor COVID-19 and adjust its visitation policy appropriately.
Changes include:
- With some exceptions, the health system will permit all visitors for all adult and pediatric inpatient and outpatient patients from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Units may restrict the number of people at the patient’s bedside to ensure safety and privacy.
- No more than two people at a time may visit critical care patients. The hospital unit will coordinate visits for people under age 18.
- Only two family or support persons over age 18 are permitted to visit Labor and Delivery patients. The restriction doesn’t apply to postpartum patients.
- No more than two visitors are permitted in adult and pediatric outpatient surgery and procedure departments, emergency departments and outpatient clinics at any given time.
For more information about symptoms, illness severity, treatment, vaccinations and current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel warnings, visit the CDC website.
