COVID-19

Image of Coronavirus

Please note that contact tracing is no longer being provided by New York State or by our Department. Our Department will now focus our efforts related to COVID on community surveillance by monitoring for any outbreaks or for an increased severity of illness.

Tips to take care of yourself, your loved ones, and our community

GET TESTED IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS OF COVID-19 OR WERE EXPOSED

You can find testing locations by clicking here. Remember to check with your insurance provider and the testing site as some locations may charge a fee for testing.

At home tests are available for purchase at many local stores or you can get them at no cost at the following locations (as supplies last):

  1. Mill Creek Center: 106 S. Perry Street, Watkins Glen, NY at the Health Services Reception Desk
  2. Human Services Complex: 323 Owego Street, Montour Falls, NY at the Main Door Security Desk
  3. You can also get at-home tests mailed directly to your home at no cost to you. Visit CovidTests.gov. If you need help placing your order:
    • Call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489) or
    • Call Schuyler NY Connects for help: 607-535-7108

Learn more about COVID-19 testing by clicking here.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE COVID-19

Take care of yourself

Rest, drink fluids, and monitor your symptoms.

Know if you might get very sick

Some people are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19, such as people who:

  • Are 50 years or older
  • Have certain health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, or disabilities
  • Are pregnant or recently pregnant
  • Have weakened immune systems

If any of these apply to you, or if you feel very sick, reach out to your healthcare provider for guidance.

If your symptoms do not improve or worsen, please call your Healthcare Provider. If you develop emergency warning signs of COVID, get medical attention immediately. Call 911 if you have a medical emergency. Emergency warning signs may include:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone.

Take COVID-19 medicines if your healthcare provider recommends them

Your doctor will help decide if COVID-19 medicine, like Paxlovid or Lagevrio, is right for you.

Protect others from getting sick

Stay at home for at least 5 days. At the end of the 5 days, if you have been fever-free for at least 24 hours (without fever-reducing medicine) you may leave home. If not, continue to stay home until you have been fever-free as noted.

Wear a well-fitting (not cloth) mask around others for at least 10 days from when you started feeling sick. If you can’t wear a mask or were very sick, stay home for at least 10 days.

You can use the Isolation and Exposure Calculator tool to help you determine if you need to isolate or take other steps to prevent spreading COVID-19. Find the calculator by clicking here.

GET VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19

Click here for more information about COVID-19 vaccines. Vaccines are available at a variety of community locations such as those below. Call ahead or check online for appointments.

  • Pharmacies
  • Healthcare provider offices

You can also visit https://www.vaccines.gov/ to find locations offering COVID vaccines (and flu shots).

Local COVID-19 Data

Find National, State, and County-level COVID data (such as hospitalizations, deaths, vaccination rates, etc.) using the following:

You can also use the COVID-19 County Check tool to determine the level of healthcare burden and disease spread in our community and see what actions are recommended. The tool can also be found by clicking here.

More Resources

  • Visit the New York State Department of Health’s webpage on COVID by clicking here 
  • Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) webpage on COVID by clicking here