We care about your health and we understand that you may be concerned about COVID-19, the coronavirus that has spread to several countries including the U.S.
Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath. Even if you have these symptoms, it is still most likely that you have a regular cold or flu. The risk of exposure to COVID-19 is higher if you recently traveled or if you were in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19. If you recently traveled to China, Japan, South Korea, Italy or Iran, or you believe you were in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, please call us so we can advise you. It is important to know that most people exposed to COVID-19 will fully recover.
If you have symptoms, please call us before you visit your health center. If you call first, we can prepare so we can take care of you and so it is less likely you will pass any illness to others. Call your health center if you have flu-like symptoms such as a fever, cough or shortness of breath. If you have difficulty breathing, call 911.
There are a few simple steps you can take to stay healthy:
Wash your hands often. Use soap and warm water and scrub for at least 20 seconds before rinsing. If you can’t wash your hands, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue (if you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands).
Don’t touch your face (especially your eyes, nose or mouth) unless your hands are clean.
If you feel sick, stay home unless you need medical care.
If you’re well and you haven’t yet gotten your flu shot, visit your Institute health center and get vaccinated against seasonal flu today.
Stay informed by visiting cdc.gov or nys.gov, or call the New York Coronavirus hotline at 1-888-364-3065. Remember, not all of the information you may hear from other people or on the internet is true. Get your information from trustworthy sources like CDC and the New York State Department of Health.
