COVID-19

COVID-19 Visitor Response Plan

Oneida Health is working closely with the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), the Madison County Department of Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to monitor COVID-19 and to continually adapt our measures to treat our patients accordingly. Be confident, though COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is new, our health team is experienced and trained to manage instances similar to this one – it is what we are here to do.

• We have increased Visitor Restrictions throughout our network
• Anyone entering the hospital facility will be asked a series of questions upon entry as part of a precautionary screening response plan as well as have their temperature checked.
• If you are feeling ill or sick, please do not visit unless seeking care

We are taking every precaution at Oneida Health to keep our patients, residents, and staff safe. As part of this, we have launched an ongoing COVID-19 Visitor Response Plan. These new measures will help protect our patients from unnecessary exposure to upper respiratory illness, including COVID-19.

Click here to view Oneida Health’s COVID-19 Visitor Response Plan

Click here to view Oneida Health’s Policy for Bringing in Items to Patients

What to do if you’re concerned that you’ve been exposed to COVID-19?

If you have mild symptoms, you should:

• Stay home
• Do NOT go to the Emergency Room, urgent care, or doctor’s office
• Call your healthcare provider

If you are very sick get medical attention immediately

If you are at higher risk for serious illness

Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.

People at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider early, even if their illness is mild.

Testing for COVID-19

If you are a close contact of someone with COVID-19 or you are a resident in a community where there is ongoing spread of COVID-19 and develop symptoms of COVID-19, call your healthcare provider and tell them about your symptoms and your exposure. They will decide whether you need to be tested, but keep in mind that there is no treatment for COVID-19 and people who are mildly ill may be able to isolate and care for themselves at home.

Click Here for Oneida Health COVID-19 Testing Cost Information

What is COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019)?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.

COVID-19 is spreading from person to person in parts of the United States. Risk of infection with COVID-19 is higher for people who are close contacts of someone known to have COVID-19, for example healthcare workers, or household members. Other people at higher risk for infection are those who live in or have recently been in an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19.

It is important to understand that most healthy people are unlikely to contract the virus, and if they do, will experience mild symptoms. However, individuals can take steps to protect those most vulnerable to upper respiratory diseases like influenza and COVID-19. Learn more from the CDC’s Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 link on this page, and view our list of simple steps you can follow to help stop the spread of respiratory viruses.