Important Advisory For Cayuga County Residents Regarding Emergency Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic

01-07-2022 The following is a joint statement From The Cayuga County Health Department, Auburn Community Hospital and the City of Auburn: 

In order to alleviate some pressure on the health care system related to COVID-19 testing and illness, Auburn Community Hospital, the City of Auburn and the Cayuga County Health Department are offering the following guidance so that all of our healthcare services can be provided to the most critically ill residents.

Our Emergency Services organizations including Auburn Ambulance Service, our local Urgent Care Centers,the Emergency Room at Auburn Community Hospital and our health system partners at the Cayuga County Health Department are significantly strained given the high incidence of COVID-19 in our community.

Anyone, regardless of vaccination status, who receives a positive COVID-19 test result, from a home test, state site, pharmacy, medical office or health provider is to isolate for 5 days in their household. With at-home tests being widely available, if you receive a positive result on your home test, it is considered positive. DO NOT go to a medical facility for another test as this further burdens the healthcare system and is not necessary. If you test positive on a home test, you can submit a picture of that test to the Cayuga County Health Department at covidtest@cayugacounty.us. You should continue to wear a well-fitting mask for 5 days after your isolation has ended.

You should seek healthcare if your symptoms worsen or do not start to resolve after day 5 of isolation.

Seek immediate healthcare if you are experiencing one or more of the following symptoms: difficulty breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, or bluish lips or face.

The surest action to prevent emergency services and hospitals from being overwhelmed is to prevent people from needing to go to the hospital with COVID-19 in the first place.
• Get vaccinated — including a booster shot.
• Wear masks when at places outside your home and around non household members.
• Practice social distancing with people outside your home
• Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Clean and disinfect high touch surfaces regularly .
• If you are feeling sick, stay home
We appreciate everyone doing their part to keep our healthcare system available for all people with serious health issues, including but not limited to, COVID-19.