Dear Friends,
Welcome home!
On behalf of Adirondack Health, we hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe and well. We wanted to reach out with some guidance and best practices to ensure as safe a summer as possible for everyone. Read here or download the PDF.
The summer season is here, and, so far, our region has largely been spared from the catastrophic spread of COVID-19. To date, we appear to have successfully limited the reach of the virus by implementing early social and physical distancing measures, backed up by the natural protection of our mountains and rural location. However, we are concerned that could change when our population increases over the summer.
Our region may emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic as a public health success story, with our population safe and healthy. But despite our initial success, we remain highly vulnerable to infected persons and asymptomatic carriers of the virus coming from out of the area, whether they are year-round residents, second homeowners, guests of homeowners, athletes or tourists. It will take all of us working together to keep the virus in check.
We are asking members of our community who will be returning in the coming weeks and months to please keep up to date on the latest federal and state guidance, which can (and does) evolve weekly, if not daily.
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It is best to go directly to your destination and not stop for supplies along the way. The state of New York has mandated additional precautions for those traveling from certain states with relatively higher infection rates. The current list of such states is available at coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory.
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Please consider being tested for COVID-19 at the earliest appropriate opportunity following your arrival. Adirondack Health offers testing – visit adirondackhealth.org/covid-testing for our current schedule.
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If you are experiencing respiratory distress, shortness of breath, dry cough, fever, or any other potential COVID-19 symptoms, contact the Adirondack Health COVID Clinic at 518-897-2462 to receive instructions on accessing appropriate care. The full list of symptoms is available at cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html
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Comply with all local, state, and federal directives and recommendations regarding physical distancing and other measures to limit spread of the virus.
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Wear face masks in public places when physical distancing is difficult.
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Refrain from hosting or attending large gatherings and utilize physical distancing measures, such as entertaining outdoors, using disposable flatware, plates and glasses, providing guests individual servings, and wearing masks inside when keeping six feet apart is difficult. New York State Department of Health guidance on gatherings is available at coronavirus.health.ny.gov/travel-large-gatherings-and-quarantines.
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Be diligent with handwashing and disinfecting much-used surfaces.
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Limit trips to the grocery store.
Local businesses are working hard to adapt to the current situation and are under strict regulations as part of New York state’s phased approach to reopening. We encourage you to abide by any such limitations, which are meant to protect all of us.
We look forward to welcoming all who make our region such a special place. We know this season will be unlike any before, and it will take some time to adjust to the new normal, but we’ll get there.
In closing, thank you for weighing all this information as you consider a return to the Adirondacks. If you wish to receive continue receiving periodic updates of this nature, please contact Hannah Hanford in the Foundation office at hhanford@adirondackhealth.org to be placed on an email list.
We look forward to being back together again as soon as possible, in a safe and responsible manner. Our skilled, compassionate clinicians are well prepared to care for all who seek our services. Although we hope you won’t need us, we are here if you do.
Sincerely,
Sylvia Getman
President and CEO
Adirondack Health
518-897-2301
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