For Visitors

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Maintaining a Safe and Effective Care Environment

A safe and effective care environment is our highest priority, and Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) hospitals and medical practices have undertaken necessary steps to protect our patients and workforce as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation evolves.

New visitation restrictions will be in effect.

• Information on patient visitation at the Behavioral Health Center is provided upon admission.
• All visitors, including designated support people, must be screened for symptoms and recent travel. Any visitor subject to quarantine restrictions for recent travel domestically or abroad, will not be allowed visitation. This includes quarantine orders specific to New York State available at coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-travel-advisory.  Currently, all states other than those bordering New York* and CDC Level 2 and 3 countries† are subject to new travel instructions. Travelers from these states or countries will have to either quarantine for 14 days upon arriving in New York State OR get a negative test within 3 days before arriving in New York State, quarantine in New York State for 3 days, then get a negative test on day 4.
  • * States bordering New York are New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Vermont
  • † A list of CDC Level 2 and 3 countries can be found here: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-notices.html 

Please call the DOH’s coronavirus hotline at 888.364.3065 or visit Health.NY.Gov for additional information.  You can also visit the CDC.gov for updates and prevention tips.

Our Plan for Care

All WMCHealth hospitals and medical practices have long-standing and the most up-to-date protocols in place to respond to infectious diseases. These protocols include, but are not limited to:

• Strict adherence to care guidelines
• Protective attire
• The use of negative-pressure environments to contain airborne pathogens
• We routinely train our staff on these protocols and protocol adherence is monitored by infection prevention specialists

As an added safety precaution, multilingual signs are present at key hospital entry points asking patients and visitors to share their potential for exposures, such as recent travel, symptoms and local exposure.

If a patient arrives at a WMCHealth member hospital or medical practice with a suspicion of COVID-19 exposure or if key symptoms are present, the patient will be masked and escorted to an isolated and contained area for additional evaluation and care in cooperation with public health agencies, such as the New York State Department of Health (DOH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Our Commitment

WMCHealth is committed to providing a safe and comfortable care environment for patients, their families and our staff at all of our member hospitals and medical practices throughout the Hudson Valley. Our care specialists are working collaboratively with public health agencies and closely monitoring COVID-19 developments. Please call the DOH’s coronavirus hotline at 888.364.3065 or visit Health.NY.Gov or CDC.gov for additional information and prevention tips. 

Updated: November 12, 2020