COVID Watch—Automated Support for Coronavirus-Positive Patients

We are introducing COVID Watch, an automated text messaging program developed by Penn Medicine designed to provide immediate clinical feedback and support for coronavirus-positive patients. This will help to better support and monitor the potentially large numbers of patients who are sheltering at home.

Text support for patients who have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19)

In an effort to support and monitor the potentially large numbers of patients who are sheltering at home, we are introducing COVID Watch, an automated text messaging program designed to provide immediate clinical feedback and support for coronavirus-positive patients.

If you have tested positive for coronavirus, we understand this can be a particularly worrisome time for you and you may have some additional concerns. We hope to alleviate some of those concerns with our COVID Watch program, providing reassurance as well as appropriate, and timely, medical support if needed.

How to qualify for COVID Watch

If you were tested at a Main Line Health testing center or emergency department (ED) and you have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), you may qualify for COVID Watch.

Qualifications include:

  • Must be 18 years or older
  • Must have a phone that can send and receive texts
  • Must be capable of texting

These groups do not qualify for COVID Watch:

  • Patients who are pregnant
  • Patients being discharged with home health care or hospice care
  • Inpatients who are staying at the hospital or patients in a skilled nursing facility

If you are a patient who has tested positive for COVID, you may be offered the option to enroll in Main Line Health COVID Watch when you receive your testing results.

How to enroll and how COVID Watch works

Selected patients will be enrolled in the COVID Watch automated text program based on certain clinical criteria.

  1. The patient agrees to receive texts twice a day for 14 days.
  2. The texts ask simple Yes or No questions about their symptoms (mostly related to breathing) and how they are feeling.
  3. Depending on the patient’s answer, a clinician can call to check on the patient within an hour to determine the severity of the symptoms, or another text will come later in the day to check in again. Patients are always reminded to call 911 if their condition worsens or feels like an emergency.

Patients can opt out of the COVID Watch program at any time. Patients also have the option of continuing the program for seven more days after the first 14 days is completed.

If you have questions about enrollment, please review our COVID Watch FAQs. 

Because COVID Watch patients have asked, here’s how to leave a note of thanks for those who have served you.