COVID-19 UPDATES

NY State Department of Health Updates (as of 3/11/22)
- Effective March 2, 2022, mask mandate in schools is lifted. Governor's Press Release
- Effective February 10, 2022, the statewide indoor business mask-or-vaccine requirement is lifted.
- All New Yorkers 5 and older should get fully vaccinated.
- All eligible New Yorkers should get their booster dose.
- All travelers, domestic and international, should continue to follow all CDC travel requirements.
- New Yorkers who don't feel well should stay home.
- Wear a non-cloth mask and wash hands regularly
VACCINATIONS
NYC Vaccine Finder: Vaccine finder search by zipcode - requires need a city address to register with (Home or Work).
Public Notice: The Medical Society does NOT administer or carry the COVID-19 vaccine. Please contact your physician, the Suffolk County Department of Health, or the following organizations for information regarding appointments.
Click for a national map displaying public locations that have received shipments of U.S. Government-procured COVID-19 therapeutics under U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) authority. The locations displayed in the locator have reported stock on hand within the last day.
PUBLIC HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE
The New York State Department of Health has released updated guidance documents on April 1st, 2021, primarily covering quarantine due to exposure or travel, and exempting fully vaccinated people from quarantine.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance is that fully vaccinated people should still wear masks when with other unvaccinated people who are at risk of developing severe symptoms if exposed to COVID. If all are fully vaccinated, then masks/social distancing is not required. NYS guidance does not allow quarantine exemption for fully vaccinated after international travel. Please CLICK HERE to read the article with more information.
Fully vaccinated people can:
- Visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing
- Visit with unvaccinated people from a single household who are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing
- Refrain from quarantine and testing following a known exposure if asymptomatic
- Resume domestic travel and refrain from testing before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel.
- Refrain from testing before leaving the United States for international travel (unless required by the destination) and refrain from self-quarantine after arriving back in the United States.
For now, fully vaccinated people should continue to:
- Take precautions in public like wearing a well-fitted mask and physical distancing
- Wear masks, practice physical distancing, and adhere to other prevention measures when visiting with unvaccinated people who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease or who have an unvaccinated household member who is at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease
- Wear masks, maintain physical distance, and practice other prevention measures when visiting with unvaccinated people from multiple households
- Avoid medium- and large-sized in-person gatherings
- Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms
- Follow guidance issued by individual employers
- Follow CDC and health department travel requirements and recommendations
NYS CDC Guidance Links
- Revised Protocols for Returning to Work (April 1st, 2021)
- Updated Interim Guidance for Quarantine Restrictions on Travelers Arriving in NYS (April 1st, 2021)
- Updated Interim Guidance for Quarantine for Community Persons Exposed to COVID-19 (April 1st, 2021)
- NYS Traveler Health Form (April 1st, 2021)
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION (CDC)
Reduce morbidity and mortality - "Flatten the Curve"
- Information for Healthcare Professionals about Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations
Vaccine Information:
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH) PROVIDER UPDATES

2020 DOH MEDICARE UPDATES
CMS PODCAST AND TRANSCRIPTS
THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES (CMS)
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Current Emergencies webpage is updated frequently with the most up-to-date information, including these important resources:
- Medicare Telemedicine Healthcare Provider Fact Sheet
- Medicare Telehealth Frequently Asked Questions
- List of Telehealth Services
- Medicare Coverage and Payment Related to COVID-19
- Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) Response to the Public Health Emergency on the Coronavirus
- Frequently Asked Questions to Assist Medicare Providers
- Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) COVID-19 Test Pricing
- Coronavirus Waiver Information
TELEHEALTH INCLUDING TELEPHONIC
The Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) has created a video education series on Telemedicine, including such important topics as Setting Up Free Telemedicine for your Patients, Implementing Telemedicine into your Practice and more. CLICK HERE to view the videos.
If you are using Zoom for teleconferencing, please CLICK HERE to read the FBI report on “zoom-bombing” which is on the increase.
PATIENT WITH COUGH, SOB, FEVER
- Have patients call ahead before coming to the practice
- Place visible signs at the entrance
- Pre-screen patient before entering the facility
- Use PPE – N95 mask, gown, eye protection, and gloves
- Facemask on the symptomatic patient can reduce exposure