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Department of Health

COVID-19 UPDATES

PCDOH is streamlining COVID data reporting for 2023. The COVID dashboard and trend summaries will be replaced by a single weekly report.


Looking for more detailed information on COVID-19 trends in Putnam County?


Looking for COVID-19 Data from NYSDOH?

Positive or Exposed to COVID-19?

In response to changing dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic, PCDOH has aligned with NYSDOH and CDC and is following the CDC’s approach to isolation and exposure precautions. County residents who test positive may not be contacted and are asked to self-isolate and notify their contacts, including their school or employer if present during the infectious period. The infectious period begins two days prior to symptom onset or the test date if asymptomatic. Isolation and exposure information as well as an Isolation Affirmation can be found below. 

Positive for COVID-19 

Isolate and notify contacts. 

Individuals who have received a positive COVID-19 test result from their physician, pharmacy, health care facility, laboratory or home test must ISOLATE for at least 5 days past the onset of symptoms or 5 days past the date of their positive test sample collection (if no symptoms). Isolation can end after 5 days if asymptomatic or respiratory symptoms are improving, and fever has been resolved for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication. The individual should wear a well-fitting mask through day 10.  

Treatment Information

Tested positive for COVID-19?

New York State residents outside of New York City can now call 888-TREAT-NY (888-873-2869) to be connected to a healthcare professional for COVID-19 information and treatment. This resource is open to all New York residents, regardless of income or health insurance status. Positive COVID-19 patients can also complete an evaluation form online by visiting NYS COVID-19 ExpressCare Therapeutics Access, which also includes a telemedicine visit. 

The COVID-19 treatment hotline is available 24/7 and operated by experienced healthcare professionals who can prescribe treatment and referrals. The telemedicine visit includes a clinical assessment, COVID-19 treatment plan, and/or a prescription for Paxlovid or Molnupiravir. 

Exposed to COVID-19

Take precautions. 

Individuals who were exposed to someone with COVID-19 should wear a well-fitted mask while around others for 10 days and watch for symptoms. If symptoms develop, immediately isolate. Test on day 5 after last exposure, or if symptoms appear. 

Prevention & Vaccine Information

Protect yourself from COVID-19 as you would for other respiratory diseases

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes.
  • Stay home if ill.
  • Clean high-touch surfaces often.
  • You can choose to wear a mask based on community levels at home and other destinations.
  • Stay up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccines.

Helpful Links: 

Vaccine Eligibility

For vaccine and booster eligibility, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Vaccine Availability

The COVID-19 vaccine can be found through healthcare providers, pharmacies, Federally Qualified Healthcare Centers, and other locations. To find a vaccine close to you, please visit vaccines.gov. The health department currently does not have COVID-19 vaccine. Please check back for availability.

Respiratory illnesses spread quickly, and so does disinformation. Refer to trusted sources, with track records of providing accurate science and health related information. Recommendations from public health officials about COVID-19 may change as new information becomes available. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I am sick?

Contact your primary care provider for a complete assessment. A healthcare provider will be able to assess and if indicated, test for flu or other viruses. If you have had direct contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID, you should tell your health care provider when you call.

New York State residents can call the COVID Treatment Hotline after testing positive, 888-TREAT-NY (888-87-2869). You can also visit NYS COVID-19 ExpressCare Therapeutics Access to fill out an evaluation form for a telemedicine visit with a healthcare professional.

Prevent the spread of illness:

  • Stay home when you are sick. Remain home for 24 hours after you no longer have a fever (without taking fever-reducing medication), your other symptoms are improving, and it has been at least 5 days since your first symptom. Wear a well-fitting mask for another 5 days when around others.
  • Limit your contact with others as much as possible, even from the members in your household
  • Monitor your symptoms.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze into your elbow or with a tissue, then immediately discard the tissue in the trash and wash your hands
  • If you feel ill enough to dial 911, inform the dispatcher that you are seeking care for someone who has COVID.
  • Visit the New York State Department of Health website for more information on isolation and quarantine.
Where can I find an at-home test?

At home test kits, such as the Abbot BINAX test and iHealth rapid test can be found at local pharmacies including CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens. Check with your health insurance company to see if you are eligible to receive reimbursement for purchasing at-home tests. Residents can also order free at-home tests from the Federal government through covid.gov/tests.

Visit the CDC for instructions on how to properly administer an at-home COVID tests: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/testing/self-testing-videos.html

Where can I get tested?

Testing availability may change from week-to-week or even day-to-day. To find a testing location, please click here.

Many private healthcare providers in Putnam County are able to provide testing.  A healthcare provider will be able to assess and if indicated, test for COVID-19, influenza or other respiratory viruses. If you have had direct contact with someone known to have tested positive with COVID-19 or have recently returned from an area with a high incidence of COVID-19, please inform your healthcare provider before you go to your appointment. Some healthcare providers are offering telemedicine visits, a virtual visit through your computer or phone.

What are signs and symptoms of COVID-19?

Common symptoms include:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

For more information, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

How do I clean for COVID-19?

CDC recommendations for cleaning and disinfecting are the same as for other respiratory viruses and can be found here. Clean high touch surfaces often (e.g. tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, sinks, etc.).

If surfaces are dirty, they should be cleaned using a detergent and water prior to disinfection. For disinfection, a list of products with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved emerging viral pathogens claims is available at Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Fighting Products.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products.

How long does COVID-19 live on surfaces and in the air?

This virus can remain stable and possibly infectious for several hours to several days, depending on where it is located. On porous surfaces like cardboard it can remain up to 24 hours, and on non-porous surfaces like plastic or stainless steel it remains stable for two to three days. This stability is similar to the original SARS virus.

Source: National Institutes of Health.

Questions about COVID variants?

Click here for information about COVID variants from the CDC.

Questions about Long COVID?

Click here for information about Long COVID or Post-COVID conditions from the CDC.

If your question was not answered above, please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the NYSDOH hotline at 1-888-364-3065.

Complaints on facilities will not be addressed at this email address. To file a complaint, please call the Department of Health directly at 1-845-808-1390.

CDC & NYSDOH Information

CDC Information
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention

NYSDOH Information
New York State Department of Health

Putnam County Office Building

40 Gleneida Avenue
Carmel, New York 10512

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