Category Archives: Uncategorized

Navigating the Infodemic – Tips from the World Health Organization

COVID Vaccinations

Rome Memorial Hospital has updated its website with the latest information about the COVID-19 vaccine, including those who are eligible and the links to the state’s registration system to register.  If you know individuals who currently qualify, please direct them to:  http://www.romehospital.org/covid_vaccine/ for the latest information.

Anyone registering for an appointment must complete the form located on the NYSDOH website: https://forms.ny.gov/s3/vaccine

More information about the vaccine can be found at: https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/

Or, click here to see a presentation by Dr. Howard A. Zucker, Commissioner of Health for New York State.

Click here to read the New York State Health Department’s Vaccine Recipient Fact Sheet.

Currently, hospitals are continuing to vaccinate those who were prioritized in Phase 1A in weeks 1-3

(Frontline healthcare workers, EMTs, medical examiners, coroners, funeral directors).

Beginning Week 4, January 4, 2021:

  • All Outpatient/Ambulatory front-line, high-risk health care workers of any age who provide direct in-person patient care, or other staff in a position in which they have direct contact with patients (i.e., intake staff), will be eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine.

o   This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who work in private medical practices; hospital-affiliated medical practices; public health clinics; specialty medical practices of all types; dental practices of all types; dialysis workers; diagnostic and treatment centers; occupational therapists; physical therapists; speech therapists; phlebotomists; behavioral health workers; and student health workers.

  • All front-line, high-risk public health workers who have direct contact with patients, including those conducting COVID-19 tests, those handling COVID-19 lab specimens and those directly engaged in COVID-19 vaccinations, will be eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine.

Beginning Week 5, January 11, 2021:

  • Home care workers including those in the consumer directed programs.
  • Hospice workers.
  • Staff of nursing homes/skilled nursing facilities who did not receive COVID vaccination through the Pharmacy Partnership for Long-Term Care Program.

Future Phases As We Understand them Now

Dates to be Determined

Phase 1B

Essential, non-healthcare workers such as

  • Police and Fire
  • Corrections officers
  • Education
  • Food & agriculture
  • Utilities
  • Transportation

Phase 1C

  • Adults with high-risk medical conditions and adults 65+

Phase 2

  • Remainder of Phase 1 populations
  • Critical populations

Phase 3

  • General Population

NYS Department of Health Update

LAST UPDATED: DECEMBER 7, 2020 AT 7:13 PM
What You Need to Know
  • NYS expects to receive an initial delivery of 170,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and we anticipate the possibility of starting to vaccinate the first group of New Yorkers by December 15, if all safety and efficacy approvals are granted.
  • A new Micro-Cluster Strategy is addressing COVID-19 hot spots that have cropped up across the state.
  • Bars, restaurants and gyms, as well as any State Liquor Authority-licensed establishment, must close in-person service from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily.
  • Indoor and outdoor gatherings at private residences are limited to no more than 10 people.
  • Read New York’s COVID-19 Winter Plan to mitigate the spread of the virus and bolster New York’s hospital’s preparedness.
  • New travel guidelines are in effect that allow out-of-state travelers to “test out” of the mandatory 14-day quarantine.
  • Go to New York’s COVID Report Card to find COVID-19 positive case data for every school district in the state.
  • To report violations of health and safety restrictions and requirements for businesses, gatherings and individuals, please choose the appropriate link below:
  • Go to forward.ny.gov to find: guidance and maps for the Micro-Cluster Initiative; regional dashboards for monitoring how the virus is being contained; and information on loans for small businesses.
  • New Yorkers without health insurance can apply through NY State of Health through December 31, 2020; must apply within 60 days of losing coverage.
  • Health care workers can text NYFRONTLINE to 741-741 to access 24/7 emotional support services. Any New Yorker can call the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for mental health counseling.

Department of Motor Vehicles

Need something from the DMV? Most services require an appointment. Click here to visit their website for an updated list of services and procedures. If you need help navigating their site, call our Reference Librarian at 315-853-2038.

NYS DOH Update 12/2/2020

LAST UPDATED: DECEMBER 2, 2020 AT 3:30 PM
What You Need to Know

NYS Department of Health Update

LAST UPDATED: AUGUST 24, 2020 AT 2:33 PM
What You Need to Know
  • Governor Cuomo has partnered with New Jersey Governor Murphy and Connecticut Governor Lamont to create a joint travel advisory for individuals traveling from states with significant community spread of COVID-19, requiring a quarantine for 14 days when visiting their states.
  • Based on each region’s infection rate, schools across New York State are permitted to open this fall but each school district must have a testing and tracing plan and will decide if an in-person v. hybrid model works best for them while following strict Department of Health Guidance.
  • Beginning September 21, lower-risk school sports may begin statewide; with travel for practice or play prohibited outside of the school’s region or contiguous regions until October 19.
  • The State Police and State Liquor Authority are leading a task force to investigate and shut down establishments not complying with the safety standards of the state.
  • To report violations of health and safety restrictions and requirements for businesses, gatherings and individuals, please choose the appropriate link below:
  • Go to forward.ny.gov to find out: Which phase of reopening your region is in; the industry guidance for each phase; regional dashboards for monitoring how the virus is being contained; and information on loans for small businesses.
  • New Yorkers without health insurance can apply through NY State of Health through September 15, 2020; must apply within 60 days of losing coverage.
  • Health care workers can text NYFRONTLINE to 741-741 to access 24/7 emotional support services. Any New Yorker can call the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for mental health counseling.

NYS Dept. of Health Update

LAST UPDATED: AUGUST 13, 2020 AT 10:45 AM
What You Need to Know
  • Governor Cuomo has partnered with New Jersey Governor Murphy and Connecticut Governor Lamont to create a joint travel advisory for individuals traveling from states with significant community spread of COVID-19, requiring a quarantine for 14 days when visiting their states.
  • Based on each region’s infection rate, schools across New York State are permitted to open this fall but each school district must have a testing and tracing plan and will decide if an in-person v. hybrid model works best for them while following strict Department of Health Guidance.
  • The State Police and State Liquor Authority are leading a task force to investigate and shut down establishments not complying with the safety standards of the state.
  • To report violations of health and safety restrictions and requirements for businesses, gatherings and individuals, please choose the appropriate link below:
  • Go to forward.ny.gov to find out: Which phase of reopening your region is in; the industry guidance for each phase; regional dashboards for monitoring how the virus is being contained; and information on loans for small businesses.
  • New Yorkers without health insurance can apply through NY State of Health through August 15, 2020; must apply within 60 days of losing coverage.
  • Health care workers can text NYFRONTLINE to 741-741 to access 24/7 emotional support services. Any New Yorker can call the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for mental health counseling.

NYS DOH Update

LAST UPDATED: AUGUST 9, 2020 AT 1:22 PM
What You Need to Know
  • Governor Cuomo has partnered with New Jersey Governor Murphy and Connecticut Governor Lamont to create a joint travel advisory for individuals traveling from states with significant community spread of COVID-19, requiring a quarantine for 14 days when visiting their states.
  • Based on each region’s infection rate, schools across New York State are permitted to open this fall but each school district must have a testing and tracing plan and will decide if an in-person v. hybrid model works best for them while following strict Department of Health Guidance.
  • The State Police and State Liquor Authority are leading a task force to investigate and shut down establishments not complying with the safety standards of the state.
  • To report violations of health and safety restrictions and requirements for businesses, gatherings and individuals, please choose the appropriate link below:
  • Go to forward.ny.gov to find out: Which phase of reopening your region is in; the industry guidance for each phase; regional dashboards for monitoring how the virus is being contained; and information on loans for small businesses.
  • New Yorkers without health insurance can apply through NY State of Health through August 15, 2020; must apply within 60 days of losing coverage.
  • Health care workers can text NYFRONTLINE to 741-741 to access 24/7 emotional support services. Any New Yorker can call the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for mental health counseling.

NYS DOH Update

LAST UPDATED: AUGUST 2, 2020 AT 3:29 PM
What You Need to Know
  • Governor Cuomo has partnered with New Jersey Governor Murphy and Connecticut Governor Lamont to create a joint travel advisory for individuals traveling from states with significant community spread of COVID-19, requiring a quarantine for 14 days when visiting their states.
  • The State Police and State Liquor Authority are leading a task force to investigate and shut down establishments not complying with the safety standards of the state.
  • To report violations of health and safety restrictions and requirements for businesses, gatherings and individuals, please choose the appropriate link below:
  • Go to forward.ny.gov to find out: Which phase of reopening your region is in; the industry guidance for each phase; regional dashboards for monitoring how the virus is being contained; and information on loans for small businesses.
  • New Yorkers without health insurance can apply through NY State of Health through August 15, 2020; must apply within 60 days of losing coverage.
  • Health care workers can text NYFRONTLINE to 741-741 to access 24/7 emotional support services. Any New Yorker can call the COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314 for mental health counseling.

Pandemic EBT Benefits

All kids who get free/reduced-price school meals – even those whose school provides free meals to all – will receive $420 in P-EBT food benefits to purchase food from participating stores. No application is needed. Click here to read more.