Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

This Emergency One Urgent Care update on the coronavirus (COVID-19) is the latest in an emerging, rapidly evolving situation.  Guidance and recommendation are primarily being issued through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the New York State and New York City Departments of Health. Infectious disease experts have reported that most cases of COVID-19 are mild to moderate but can be more sever in older adults and people with chronic health conditions.  The symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath, and pneumonia. 

As of this notice, there is NOT a test for COVID-19 available to urgent care centers including Emergency One.  If coronavirus is suspected, you should call ahead to your primary care or urgent care center in your area. Do not walk into any facility without first calling. Since this is a rapidly evolving situation, we will give you the latest advice as to what are your next steps.  Meanwhile, practicing good hygiene and typical flu prevention will help minimize your potential for exposure.

Recently, guidance suggests minimizing exposure can be accomplished with the following routines:

• Washing hands frequently
• Wipe down hard surfaces at work or home twice per day with disinfectant wipes
• Use hand sanitizer

In addition:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Avoid close contact with those that are sick

If you are in close contact of someone with COVID-19 and develop symptoms of COVID-19, call your healthcare provider or alert your local health department.

It’s important to keep in mind that the risk to New York residents remains low.  There is minimal risk in maintaining your daily routines but be mindful of the above recommendations.  Stay in touch with the first line sources including CDC Coronavirus page and New York Department of Health page.

At Emergency One, we provide a mask as needed to patients entering the facility with flu symptoms and our staff is educated on the best practices of protecting themselves and your family from passing the flu from one to the other.  We are vigilant in wiping common surfaces with cleaning solutions that prevent the spread of the flu.  We are following CDC and DOH protocols on infectious disease control in regards to disinfecting exam rooms and common areas in the facility.