Schenectady County Public Health Services (SCPHS) is asking residents who receive a positive COVID-19 test result to immediately begin isolating, visit www.schenectadycounty.com/COVID19 to access the updated toolkit, and begin the contact tracing process. The toolkit provides isolation guidance COVID-positive individuals can use to keep themselves and others safe, as well as information to help identify close contacts.
The toolkit includes updated Affirmation of Isolation and Affirmation of Quarantine documents – available in English and Spanish – for Schenectady County residents who have tested positive for or been exposed to COVID-19. The self-affirming forms can be used as isolation or quarantine releases or for NY Paid Family Leave COVID-19 claims in lieu of official isolation and quarantine orders from SCPHS, which can help streamline the process.
“As the pandemic continues, we want to remind residents of the resources available to them,” said Schenectady County Legislator Michelle Ostrelich, Chair of the Health & Human Services Committee. “If you or someone you know tests positive for COVID-19, we ask that you view the toolkit, start identifying those around you that may have been exposed and also follow the other steps provided on the website. Working together we can keep our friends and families safe and healthy this holiday season and beyond.”
To streamline communications, SCPHS asks residents who have questions about isolation or quarantine to access the toolkit at www.schenectadycounty.com/COVID19 first before calling. Residents who still have questions can call (518) 386-2824, option 4, and leave a detailed message. While there may be delays due to the volume of inquiries, SCPHS staff will return your call as soon as possible.
“Due to the increased number of cases, residents will most likely know about a positive test result or exposure before our public health department does,” said Legislator Ostrelich. “If you find out that you have tested positive for COVID-19 or were exposed to someone who tested positive, we urge you to follow the steps outlined on www.schenectadycounty.com/COVID19 as soon as possible to help limit the spread of the virus in our community.”
Volunteer
SCPHS is looking for volunteers to join its Medical Reserve Corps. In addition to medical volunteers, SCPHS needs non-medical volunteers to help with registration, data entry, and other non-medical roles vital to the County’s pandemic response and vaccine distribution program. Interested residents should visit www.schenectadycounty.com/public-health/mrc for additional information or to sign up.