Health Information

Information from Albany Medical Center:

https://www.amc.edu/patient/services/infectious_disease/coronavirus.cfm

Albany Med is continuing to work closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and local health departments to actively monitor and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are committed to the health and safety of our patients, visitors and workforce. Experts from across the medical center meet daily to evolve our planning efforts and ensure that all staff and resources are in place, ready to protect our community.

For the latest data on confirmed cases in New York, please visit the NYSDOH website by clicking here.

Testing

New Regional Test Site

In partnership with Albany Med and St. Peter’s Health Partners, New York State has opened a COVID-19 mobile testing site at The University at Albany, 1400 Washington Ave., Colonial Quad parking lot. The testing center is slated to remain open each day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Testing will be prioritized for individuals in high-risk populations. Appointments are required and may be made by calling 888-364-3065. No walk-ins are permitted and all patients must be in a vehicle.

Albany Med is not currently conducting COVID-19 community testing on our site. In an effort to conserve supplies, we will only test symptomatic Albany Med health care workers, first responders with high-risk exposure to the virus and the inpatient population at Albany Med under investigation for COVID-19.

COVID-19 Test Results

If you were tested for COVID-19 at Albany Med and your results are negative, you will be notified by phone from Albany Med or Albany County. Patients with positive results will also receive a phone call with information about next steps. Please do not call Albany Med. If you have not yet received a call, the results are still pending.

Information for the Community

People who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, but who have not been determined by a doctor to require hospital care, are advised to follow the recommended 14-day home quarantine and any treatment regimen recommended by their doctor.

Symptoms

Patients with COVID-19 have had mild to severe respiratory illness with symptoms of:

• Fever

• Cough

• Shortness of breath

• Pneumonia

If you suspect you are sick with COVID-19, follow the steps below to care for yourself and help prevent the disease from spreading to other people:

• Stay home except to get medical care and separate yourself from other people and animals in your home.

• Call your health care provider immediately if your illness is worsening. They will give you instructions on how to get care without exposing others.

• Cover your coughs and sneezes.

• Clean your hands often.

• If you are ill with fever, cough or shortness of breath, call ahead to our care sites.

The CDC has the most current information about the virus, including everything you need to know about how the virus spreads, how it’s treated, how to protect yourself, and what to do if you get sick. You can learn more by visiting the CDC website here, which is updated frequently.

Protect Yourself

Regular hand washing remains one of the best defenses against COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. People can help protect themselves from respiratory illness with everyday preventive actions:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Practice social distancing by staying home, and if you go outside or have to the grocery store or pharmacy, maintain at least six feet of physical space in public.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands

Protect Others

• Stay home when you are sick and as designated by the state of New York. Follow your doctor’s instructions about quarantine measures.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with your sleeve (not your hands) or a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

• The CDC has stated that cloth face masks may be worn in public places where social distancing measures may be difficult to maintain, such as grocery stores and pharmacies. Please note that following guidance from the New York State Department of Health regarding personal protective equipment updated April 3, 2020, cloth masks are not recommended for health care professionals when working in a health care setting. It is unknown whether cloth masks provide effective source control for infectious patients.

Your Emotional Health

For those feeling unsettled in these trying times, Albany Med psychiatrist Robin Tassinari, MD, has advice for keeping balance.

How Can I Help?

Albany Med is accepting community donations to help during this time of crisis. As always, we are so very grateful for your generous support. Learn more about the Albany Med COVID-19 Response Fund.

Helpful Resources

NYSDOH: Novel Coronavirus

CDC: Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

CDC: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

CDC: What you need to know about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

County Health Department Contact Information

Albany: (518) 447-4580
Clinton: (518) 565-4840
Columbia: (518) 828-3358
Essex: (518) 873-3500
Franklin: (518) 481-1710
Fulton: (518) 736-5720
Greene: (518) 719-3600
Hamilton: (518) 648-6497
Herkimer: (315) 866-6879
Lewis: (315) 376-5433
Montgomery: (518) 853-3531
Oneida: (315) 798-5748
Rensselaer: (518) 270-2655
Saratoga: (518) 584-7460
Schenectady: (518) 386-2810
Schoharie: (518) 295-8382
Warren: (518) 761-6580
Washington: (518) 746-2400