Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information

OHI clinics: Only one visitor may accompany a patient to a visit.

By entering the facility, you attest that you do not currently have any COVID-19 symptoms (see the ABOUT COVID-19 section below) and you have not been exposed to someone with known or suspected COVID-19 within the past 14 days.

Patients with disabilities such as altered mental status, physical, intellectual or cognitive disability, communication barriers or behavioral concerns, who need assistance from a support person due to the specifics of their disability will be permitted to have such an individual with them. Support persons will be required to comply with safety measures as directed by the facility.

This is a temporary measure taken to further protect against the spread of COVID-19 in our community. We ask for your understanding and cooperation at this time, as our caregivers provide quality, compassionate care to all of our patients. Thank you.

If you have a medical emergency, call 911 and tell the dispatcher about your symptoms and recent travel history.

If you do not have a medical emergency, but need medical care, stay home and call your health care provider for instructions. When you call a health care provider, be prepared to answer questions about your risk factors for COVID-19 such as:

• In the last 28 days, have you traveled outside of the United States or to communities with broad outbreaks?
• Have you had close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19? (Close contact means having been within 6 feet of that person for an extended time, or being exposed to their cough or sneeze.)
• Do you have a fever, cough or shortness of breath?
• Has a public health officer said you were potentially exposed to COVID-19?
• Do you have any previous health concerns including respiratory or immune system conditions?

If you need to visit a health care provider, ER or urgent care center, please go alone if possible.

• Do not bring children, family members or friends unless you require assistance.
• Do not bring anyone who has a fever, cough or shortness of breath or is considered medically vulnerable.

Stay Calm

The possibility of having a contagious illness is concerning, but doctors, nurses and other caregivers are working together with national and international agencies to identify and provide care to patients while minimizing spread of the illness in the community.

Coronaviruses are a type of virus. There are many different kinds and some cause disease. A newly identified type has caused a recent outbreak of respiratory illness now called COVID-19.

Symptoms

• Fever or chills
• Shortness of breath
• Muscle and/or body aches
• New loss of taste and/or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion and/or runny nose
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

Transmission

• A person infected with COVID-19 may spread the virus for several days without having any symptoms.
• COVID-19 may spread through tiny droplets in the air or when a person touches another person, object or surface where droplets are present.

Treatment

• COVID-19 can be diagnosed with a laboratory test
• There is currently no approved medication to treat COVID-19.
• Antiviral medications are currently being tested to see if they can address symptoms.

Prevention

• Practice physical distancing and remaining 6 feet away from individuals.
• At home and work, clean frequently-touched surfaces such as doors and doorknobs, cabinet handles, bathroom hardware, tabletops, phones, tables, remote controls, keyboards regularly with disinfectant.
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly for at least 20 seconds with soap and hot water. Be mindful to wash your hands after sneezing, blowing your nose, coughing or using the bathroom, and before preparing or eating food.
• If you cough or sneeze, do so into the bend of your elbow, not your hand. You may also use a tissue and then immediately throw it away and wash your hands.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Register to get the COVID-19 vaccine at https://uticaparkclinic.com/coronavirus/vaccine

We are confident patients entering our facility for inpatient or outpatient care are safe.

• We care for infected patients in isolated areas of the hospital. Access to these areas is limited to a small group of staff who only care for patients in that area.
• The materials used to care for infected patients are isolated and handled using the most current infection-control practices.
• For the safety of all, our environmental care staff uses evidence-based disinfection procedures and products.
• We understand the public’s high level of concern and are committed to protecting our patients’ privacy.