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COVID-19: Vaccination, Testing and Treatment

 

COVID-19: Maintaining a Safe and Effective Care Environment

A safe and effective care environment is our highest priority, and Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) hospitals and medical practices have undertaken necessary steps to protect our patients and workforce as the COVID-19 situation evolves.

On this site, you will find up-to-date information on our patient and visitor guidelines, as well as details about vaccination, testing and treatment offered at our hospital campuses, by appointment only.

Request a COVID-19 testing appointment


Please call the DOH’s COVID-19 hotline at 888.364.3065 or visit Health.NY.Gov for additional information.  You can also visit the CDC.gov for updates and prevention tips.

Our Plan for Care

All WMCHealth hospitals and medical practices have long-standing and up-to-date protocols in place to respond to infectious diseases. These protocols include, but are not limited to:

  • Strict adherence to care guidelines
  • Protective attire
  • Screening of patients and visitors for COVID-19 infections, symptoms or exposure 

Our Commitment

WMCHealth is committed to providing a safe and comfortable care environment for patients, their families and our staff at all of our member hospitals and medical practices throughout the Hudson Valley. Our care specialists are working collaboratively with public health agencies and closely monitoring COVID-19 developments. Please call the DOH’s coronavirus hotline at 888.364.3065 or visit Health.NY.Gov or CDC.gov for additional information and prevention tips.

Mental Health Hotline:  Call 914.216.7733

The COVID-19 anxiety and research hotline is staffed by trained medical personnel that are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide free confidential telephone counseling services for members of the community and staff experiencing anxiety and depression as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Resources

Westchester County DOH

New York State DOH

CDC

 

Updated: January 13, 2023


Visitation

Effective January 16, 2024, visitation at Margaretville Hospital is as follows:  

  • Visiting hours are 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. 
  • There will be no limit to the number of visitors throughout the day. However, only two (2) people may visit at a time.
  • Pediatric patients, age 22 years and under, are allowed four (4) Designated Support People (DSP). Two (2) DSPs can visit together at any given time, 24 hours per day.
  • Accompaniment to the Emergency Department by one visitor is allowed. In the event of higher than normal volume we may need to restrict access to the waiting room to patients only.
  • Labor and delivery patients are allowed two (2) DSPs, including a doula if requested, 24 hours per day, throughout labor, delivery and the postpartum period, including recovery, until discharge to home. The DSP can be the patient’s spouse, partner, sibling, parent, or other persons of their choice. DSPs must be 18 years of age or older.
  • All patients undergoing same day procedures may be accompanied to the facility by (2) DSPs and those DSPs may remain in a hospital designated waiting area until the patient is discharged.
  • Visitors must be at least 12 years of age and if under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. All such visitors must have proof of vaccination or testing, as above. Visitors between 5 - 11 years of age with proof of full vaccination, or recent negative test (as above) may be granted exceptions. ICU visitation is restricted to visitors aged 18 and up.
  • Patients with extenuating circumstances will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. These requests and other related concerns can be directed to 845.417.7692 and 845.450.5029.

In addition:

Vaccination and Testing Appointments

Visitors who wish to make an appointment for vaccination or COVID-19 PCR testing may call our COVID-19 Call Center at 914.202.4530.

Infection Control

All hospital, state and federal guidelines regarding infection control practices must be followed.

 General facemask wearing is required for staff or visitors, while in patient rooms in the inpatient hospital  and clinical areas of the Emergency Department where patients may be encountered

 Visitors are strongly encouraged to wear a facemask in all other areas of the hospital where patients may be present. This includes nursing stations, lobbies, waiting areas, elevators, and other public areas.  

Once in the facility, visitors must limit travel within the hospital to only pathways directly to and from the patient’s room. Visits to locations including the cafeteria and gift shop must be made prior to going to the patient’s room.

Visitors must remain in the patient’s room throughout the visit, except when directed to leave by hospital staff during procedures or circumstances for which visitors are usually asked to leave, or to use the restroom, and must be appropriately distanced from any other patients or staff.

Emergency Department Only

  • For patients presenting for immediate, emergency care, visitors who accompany them may be permitted to remain with them for the initial hospitalization period (in most cases no longer than the first day) without proof of vaccination or a negative test result. All subsequent visits more than one day after the acute event will require proof of vaccination or negative test result.

Communication Devices

For patients using personal devices for communication with family and friends: All WMCHealth patients must adhere to policies regarding patient photography and recording or videotaping. Any live video streaming between patients and family/friends must be done with approval by the patient and WMCHealth, be time limited, should not include clinical procedures or staff and should not interfere with WMCHealth clinical treatment or operationsView our complete COVID-19 response, including information on testing, visitation, donations and services.

 

Testing

WMCHealth offers both COVID-19 diagnostic and antibody testing at sites in Valhalla, Poughkeepsie, Kingston and Margaretville. We also offer diagnostic testing at sites in Suffern, Warwick and Port Jervis.

Margaretville Hospital testing is available by appointment at 42084 State Highway 28 in Margaretville.

Request an appointment

Treatment

If you test positive for COVID-19, contact your primary care provider for the most appropriate treatment plan for you.

 

Suspension of Referrals for Monoclonal Antibody Treatment for COVID-19

WMCHealth is not currently accepting referrals for the COVID-19 monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment, as the available mAbs are not effective against the predominantly circulating SARS-Cov-2 variants. Prevention remains the method of protection against COVID-19. We strongly recommend that all eligible individuals receive COVID-19 vaccine and booster doses, and mask and test when appropriate. Please contact your primary care provider if you have any questions about COVID-19 prevention or treatment.

 

Updated: January 13, 2023


WMCHealth Vaccine Information

Please check with your local provider, health department or pharmacy for vaccination and booster availability near you.

Valhalla

Guidance for the New York State Vaccination Program is available here.

Please call 914.202.4530 to schedule an appointment through our drive through vaccination center. Appointments are required.

A parent or legal guardian must accompany all children and proof of the child’s age is required.

Poughkeepsie

MidHudson Regional Hospital
241 North Road
Poughkeepsie, NY

Every Wednesday, 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. (3:30 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. for pediatrics)

A parent or legal guardian must accompany all children and proof of the child’s age is required.

Appointments required. To schedule an appointment, call 914.202.4530.

Suffern

Good Samaritan Hospital
255 Lafayette Avenue
Suffern, NY

Every Monday, Friday and Sunday, 8 a.m.- 10 a.m.

A parent or legal guardian must accompany all children and proof of the child’s age is required.

Appointments are encouraged. Click here to schedule an appointment.

Additional Resources

 
Updated: January 30, 2023

WMCHealth Post-COVID-19 Recovery Program

Post-COVID-19 Care for Ongoing Recovery

The Tri-State area has been one of the hardest hit in the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, many people who became ill from the coronavirus continue to deal with long-term issues surrounding their physical, mental and emotional health and quality of life. Sometimes referred to as “post-COVID syndrome” this is a very real health issue. And, it is treatable. This program gives our patients access to evaluation and a wide range of specialty care for their mental and physical health.

Request an Appointment | Call 914.592.2400

Updated: January 9, 2023