Yes, Hospice East Bay serves all patients who qualify for our services by having a life-limiting illness with a prognosis of six months or less, regardless of their COVID status. Just having COVID-19 does not qualify someone for hospice services by itself.

Please note: our inpatient facility, Bruns House, only accepts patients who have received a negative COVID test within the past 48 hours.

The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person, so someone who has the virus can spread it to other people. That is why officials recommend that people who have the virus be isolated or quarantined in the hospital or at home (depending on how sick they are) until they are better and can no longer infect someone else.

As a healthcare provider and your community partner, we make sure that our staff have the personal protective equipment they need to not only avoid spreading illness to you but also to avoid getting sick themselves. For example, we require our staff to get “fit tested” each year for their face masks to make sure that they are wearing the right size mask and wearing it in the right way. This personal equipment is only used for one location and changed between patients.

Due to the virus, we are temporarily canceling all face-to-face grief counseling services. We are currently offering “virtual” grief support groups through a dedicated conference phone number. As always, we have counselors available to talk to you during normal business hours Monday through Friday should you need support. For more information about grief support, please call (925) 887-5681.

Yes. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing the highest quality care and maintaining a safe environment for our guests and staff is our number one priority. We continue to monitor and follow new developments from the state, Contra Costa County Health Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The following enhanced safety measures have been implemented in response to COVID-19:

1. Clinical Screening for all who enter the Bruns House. This includes staff, patients, and guests. Clinical Screening for fever, cough, sore throat, and contact with someone diagnosed or suspected to have COVID-19.
2. Hand Hygiene – Practicing good hand hygiene practices. Alcohol sanitizer is readily available throughout the facility.
3. Environmental Cleaning – Performing frequent disinfection with approved disinfecting agents throughout the facility.
4. Physical Distancing – Practicing and encouraging maintaining at least 6 feet between people.
5. Visitors – Visitors are limited to two designated visitors per patient. If more than two family members wish to visit the patient, exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. If an exception is made, Bruns House staff will work with families to schedule visits to minimize visitors from congregating at the facility. Bruns House staff will also assist with maximizing alternate modes for family to connect with the patient.