Coronavirus Update from Dr. Spencer, Internal Medicine physician and Chief Medical Officer

Coronavirus disease, now named COVID-19, continues to grow in scope. There are currently 14 confirmed cases in the United States and none in New York. COVID-19 is increasingly widespread, with new cases reported earlier this week in South Korea, Italy and Iran. The official (but scary) word for this is pandemic. A pandemic is when an outbreak of a disease effects many people at about the same time throughout the world. We’ve actually had several pandemics in the recent past- a few years ago with a strain of influenza for example. Pandemic doesn’t necessarily mean deadly, it means the disease spreads widely across many borders.

As the Coronavirus continues to spread, Crystal Run Healthcare is committed to your health and safety. Our infection control committee has been working hard internally and actively coordinating with our local hospitals and public health departments to help make sure there is a concerted effort in the communities we serve. To help protect yourself, the CDC recommends to avoid contact with sick individuals, avoid touching your face, stay home when you’re sick, cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and discard, clean frequently touched objects, do not wear a facemask unless you are experiencing symptoms, are a healthcare worker, or are a caretaker, and wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Symptoms of coronavirus include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, and a history of travel to an effected area. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, call Crystal Run's Coronavirus Hotline at (845) 643-3909 and we will determine the correct and safest course of action for all parties.

For more information about Coronavirus Disease, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides updated information and useful information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.