Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Resources Page

Useful Links

Most of the covid restrictions have been lifted. For information about specific government  agencies, check with the agency’s website. Learn more at the links below.

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services official COVID webpage covid.gov.  

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) covid webpage cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) webpage on covid vaccines fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/covid-19-vaccines

U.S. Department of State COVID-19 Travel Advisories travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html 

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)  sba.gov

New York State Department of Health Covid information coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home. 

New York State Business Pandemic Recovery Initiative. The Empire State Development page with information about grants, tax credits, and technical assistance programs for businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more at  esd.ny.gov/business-pandemic-recovery-initiative. 

New York City covid webpage (for individuals and businesses) www1.nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/index.page.

New York City Department of Health (DOH) covid webpage www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/covid/covid-19-main.page

The NYC Citywide Information Portal with resource guides for businesses and individuals, including COVID-specific resource guides for New Yorkers www1.nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/resources/resources-for-new-yorkers.page and 311 portal.311.nyc.gov.

Vaccinations

Health officials urge everyone to be up to date on their vaccinations. People 5 months+ are eligible for vaccinations. Vaccines are now readily available and are free. The NYC Vaccine Finder tells you everywhere in NYC that vaccinations are available and the type of vaccination offered  vaccinefinder.nyc.gov.

Therapies
The anti-viral Paxlovid pill is most effective when prescribed shortly after symptoms begin, and sharply reduces the chances a COVID illness will become severe. It is prescribed as three pills taken twice a day for five days. Molnupiravir is taken as four pills twice a day for five days. The pills are available for people age 65+ and high-risk adults. Pills must be taken soon after symptoms appear, so don't delay in contacting your physician if you get covid. Your doctor can prescribe the covid antiviral pills, but delivery may not come from your regulary pharmacy. 

Speak to your doctor about monoclonal antibody treatments.

All New Yorkers can get tested for coronavirus 

PCR (the more sensitive testing) and at-home rapid tesiting are readily available.

Sites run by New York State are free coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you. NYC free testing locations: www1.nyc.gov/site/coronavirus/get-tested/covid-19-testing.page, call 212-COVID19, or text COVID TEST to 855-48. 

For Murray Hill/Kips Bay: Bellevue, First Avenue at 26th Street, (free) no appointment necessary for PCR testing; wait times are unpredictable. Be sure that they set up your patient portal so that you can get your results quickly. Test results usually come back in 1-2 days.

At-home rapid tests are also widely available. Many insurance plans will cover 8 at-home tests per month. Check with your pharmacist if they participate in the program.

COVID-19 Treatment Hotline by the State Department of Health in Partnership with NYC Health + Hospitals call 888-TREAT-NY (888-873-2869). The Hotline is available 24-hours per day, seven days a week and operated by experienced Health + Hospitals professionals who have the clinical training to prescribe treatment and referrals if needed. The ExpressCare platform is a service that allows New Yorkers to receive virtual care from a NYC Health + Hospitals provider. The telemedicine visit will include a clinical assessment by medical providers who will identify the appropriate COVID-19 treatment plan, which may include a prescription for Paxlovid or Molnupiravir. 

 

Photo by Glen Carrie.