At this time, the CDC continues to recommend people contact a primary care provider for a complete assessment. A healthcare provider will be able to assess and if indicated, test for flu or other viruses. If you have had direct contact with someone who has been diagnosed and has symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath and fever, you should call tell your health care provider when you call.

As with any illness:

• Stay home when you are sick. Remain home for at least 72 hours after you no longer have a fever (without taking fever-reducing medication) or signs of a fever (i.e., chills, feeling warm, flushed appearance)
• Limit your contact with others as much as possible, even from the members in your household
• Cover your cough or sneeze into your elbow or with a tissue, then immediately discard the tissue in the trash and wash your hands
• If you feel ill enough to dial 911, you must inform the dispatcher of any risk factors

Common symptoms include:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

For more information, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

Testing availability may change from week-to-week or even day-to-day. To find the closest testing location to you, please visit the NYS Test Site Finder website.

Some private healthcare providers in Putnam County are able to provide testing.  A healthcare provider will be able to assess and if indicated, test for flu or other viruses. If you have had direct contact with someone known to have tested positive with COVID-19 or have recently returned from an area with a high incidence of COVID-19, please inform your healthcare provider before you go to your appointment. Some healthcare providers are offering telemedicine visits, a virtual visit through your computer or phone.

The following list is subject to change:

NYSDOH

Call for screening at 888-364-3065 or complete the online assessment here.

Pulse MD Urgent Care

Testing is available after a virtual visit with one of their providers. To schedule an appointment, visit their website or call 845-204-9260.

CareMount Medical

Testing is available after a primary care or urgent care virtual visit. A virtual visit can be scheduled on their website.

Nuvance Health

Nuvance Health is offering testing for new and existing patients at primary care practices. Testing is also available at their Urgent Care Centers.

AFC Urgent Care

Testing is available after a virtual visit with one of their providers. To schedule an appointment, visit their website or call 203-826-2140.

Northwell Health Urgent Care

Testing is available after a virtual or in-person visit with a provider. To find the closest location or schedule a virtual visit, please visit their website.

Westchester Medical Center

Call 914-202-4530 for a pre-screening and an appointment. You can also request an appointment online in English or Spanish.

CVS

Select CVS pharmacies with drive-thru windows are offering rapid testing. Visit their website to find your closest location.

Test result turnaround times vary depending on the lab the specimen was sent to and which state the test was performed. Generally, it takes three to five days for test results to to be reported. Sometimes, results can be ready within 24 hours (not typical) and can take up to 2 weeks (out of state).

There are several private providers testing for COVID-19 antibodies; this may also include your primary care provider. The following is a list of medical groups who have antibody testing available.

• CareMount Medical
• PulseMD Urgent Care
• Northwell Health Urgent Care

If your antibody test result is positive, you can donate plasma at the following locations.

• New York Blood Center
• Nuvance at Danbury Hospital
• Red Cross
• Northwell Health

Once a lab-confirmed case is identified, our communicable disease staff immediately begin to perform a case investigation. This means that every person with a positive result is interviewed to find out who they have been in contact with while infections. All contacts are called directly by the NYS Contact Tracers, given instructions to quarantine and are monitored as needed. This is also known as contact tracing.

PCDOH does not release the names of the people who have positive results. We follow HIPAA (patient privacy) regulations, which protects this information.

Local businesses and restaurants are working hard to keep you safe- they are diligent with their cleaning protocols and are quick to answer when PCDOH calls. Businesses are also still feeling the effects of the pandemic. When it is determined through a case investigation that a health alert must be issued at a local business, they need community support more than ever. Putnam businesses have always been eager to support our community by sponsoring sports teams and making donations, now is the time to give back. Keep Putnam strong, support Putnam, and shop Putnam.

PCDOH does not have drive-through testing available on a regular basis. When a drive-through clinic is scheduled, it will be by appointment only.

PCDOH continues to recommend people contact a primary care provider for a complete assessment. A healthcare provider will be able to assess and if indicated, test for flu or other viruses. If you have had direct contact with someone known to have tested positive with COVID-19, please inform your healthcare provider before you go to your appointment.

If your healthcare provider believes you should be tested but does not have the capability to test you, please have them contact PCDOH.

Fatality information is reported directly to NYS by hospitals and nursing homes. You can find this information through the NYSDOH Tracker here.

The total number of tests done in Putnam County, including tests done by PCDOH, NYSDOH and private entities, can be found here

The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus. We recommend staying home as much as possible to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, including:

• Practice Social Distancing (also known as physical distancing)
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Cough into your elbow, or cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Do not share personal items such as water bottles.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
• Stay home and away from others as much as possible when you are sick.
• If you must go out for essential tasks, wear a face covering to protect those around you

Social distancing, also known as physical distancing, is the practice of reducing close contact between people to slow the spread of infections or diseases. To prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, people should remain at least six feet apart from each other. Social distancing measures include limiting groups of people coming together, closing buildings and cancelling events.

CDC recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting can be found here. Clean high touch surfaces often (e.g. tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks, etc.).

If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent and water prior to disinfection. For disinfection, a list of products with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved emerging viral pathogens claims, maintained by the American Chemistry Council Center for Biocide Chemistries (CBC), is available at Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fighting Products or https://www.americanchemistry.com/Novel-Coronavirus-Fighting-Products-List.pdf

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products.

While you’re in the store, make sure to maintain a six-foot distance from other shoppers and workers. ​The CDC, NYSDOH and PCDOH recommend that you wear a cloth face covering or mask when you go out in public. Gloves are not recommended at this time, but if you choose to use them, make sure to dispose of gloves properly in a garbage can when you are done shopping. During your shopping trip, be sure not to touch your face and wash your hands thoroughly when you return home. You can also use hand sanitizer while you’re in the store and when you leave. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water when you return home.

Once you are home and ready to unpack your groceries , sanitize the surfaces where you placed your bags. Right now, we know the virus can live on surfaces, although the exact time depends on the surface, so washing your hands frequently during and after unpacking groceries can help reduce your risk. There is no guidance at this time on cleaning the groceries you bring home.

For more information about running essential errands, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/essential-goods-services.html

Unfortunately, there is not enough information to know for sure yet.

This virus can remain stable and possibly infectious for several hours to several days, depending on where it is located. For example, it can remain as an aerosol in the air for up to three hours. On cardboard it can remain up to 24 hours, and on plastic or stainless steel it remains stable for two to three days. This stability is similar to the original SARS virus.

Source: National Institutes of Health.

Putnam County has an Isolation and Quarantine plan as part of our Public Health Emergency Preparedness Planning. It has been reviewed and adjusted for COVID-19. Each resident that is identified as needing to isolate will receive a phone call with instructions and written guidance.

On April 1, the Commissioner issued a Standing Order for mandatory isolation related to COVID-19 to separate sick people from healthy people and to help prevent the spread. The full isolation order can be seen under ‘Additional Information’ on this website.