FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Sarah Granquist Phone: (518) 891-4471 Email: sgranqui@franklincony.org

Notice to Public

October 1, 2021

COVID-19 FAQ Update from the Franklin County Public Health Department

Cases

How many COVID-19 cases are currently in the county?

The level of community transmission in Franklin County is HIGH. People are interacting more closely with each other which is allowing the disease to spread more easily throughout our communities.

All of us - vaccinated and unvaccinated - are empowered to help stop the spread by following the COVID-19 safety guidelines we’ve practiced since the start of this pandemic:

Wear face coverings in all indoor public places,

Continue to wash your hands frequently,

Sanitize high touch areas in your home,

Reduce gathering sizes and visit outdoors whenever possible,

If you feel sick, stay home,

If unvaccinated, please get vaccinated!

How do I find information about current positive COVID cases, isolations and quarantines in Franklin County?

Go to the Franklin County website https://www.franklincountyny.gov/ and click on “COVID-19 Updates and Guidance” for regularly updated information.

The Crime Analysis Unit of Franklin County updates the isolation map as often as staffing and time allows. We understand that maps are helpful but please be aware that COVID-19 is in every community and safety guidelines should be followed in every township in Franklin County, not just in townships that have confirmed cases.

Vaccination

Who is eligible to be vaccinated in New York?

Anyone who is 12 and older may be vaccinated against COVID-19.

When will children under 12 be eligible for vaccination?

On September 28^th, Pfizer submitted data to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to clear its COVID-19 vaccine for use in children ages 5 -11. The FDA is expected to take several weeks to analyze the data before it will grant emergency use authorization.

Pfizer states that trial data will be available for those 2-4 years of age by the end of this year.

Why get vaccinated?

Getting vaccinated reduces your chances of contracting COVID-19, protects you from severe illness requiring hospitalization, and helps to eliminate the virus’ ability to mutate and create new variants. Getting vaccinated also helps to protect those who cannot be vaccinated, such as children 11 and under, from contracting COVID-19.

What vaccines are available?

Currently, three COVID-19 vaccines have been approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and New York State's independent Clinical Advisory Task Force for emergency use. They are:

Pfizer (approved for those 12-15 years old)
Moderna (approved for those 18 and older)
Johnson and Johnson (approved for those 18 and older)

One vaccine has been fully approved for use by the FDA:

Pfizer (approved for those 16 and older)

I want to be vaccinated or get a booster shot, how do I find a COVID-19 vaccine provider?

Go to https://vaccinefinder.org/. This site will direct you to vaccine that is within a 50 mile radius of your zip code.

Vaccines are available at Walmart, Walgreens, and Kinney Drug pharmacies.

Franklin County Public Health Services is arranging Pfizer booster clinics effective early October. Registration links will be posted when the clinics are scheduled.

COVID-19 vaccination information is posted on our website at https://franklincountyny.gov. Click on COVID-19 Updates and Guidance.

What if I want to schedule a vaccination appointment and don’t have a computer or access to the internet?

Give one of these agencies in Franklin County a call. They will help you find and make a vaccination appointment.

Community Connections 518 521-3507
Tri-Lakes Center for Independent Living 518 891- 5295
Office for the Aging 518 481-1526
Public Health 518 481-1710
COVID-19 Call Center 518 481-1111

Please pass this information on to anyone you know who does not have access to a computer or the internet.

I’m vaccinated and I’ve been hearing I might need a booster shot –

On 9/26/21, New York State Department of Health approved COVID-19 booster shots for those who received the second dose of Pfizer vaccine more than 6 months ago and are:

Age 65 and older,
Residents and staff in long term care facilities,

Age 18 and older and have underlying medical conditions including asthma, diabetes, obesity,
Age 18 and older and work in high-risk settings including healthcare workers, teachers, grocery store workers.

Booster shot guidance for Moderna and J&J recipients will be forthcoming.

What about third doses for immunocompromised residents?

CDC and NYSDOH are recommending that moderately to severely immunocompromised people receive an additional dose. This includes people who have:

Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome)
Advanced or untreated HIV infection
Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response

In these instances, a third dose is recommended 28 days after the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna. People should talk to their healthcare provider about their medical condition and whether getting an additional dose is appropriate for them.

Testing

Why get tested for COVID-19?

Testing for COVID-19 is an important way to slow the spread of the disease. Common cold and allergy symptoms could also be COVID-19 symptoms. It’s important to know for sure so you don’t pass COVID-19 on to others. Talk to your health care provider, get tested, and stay home when feeling sick.

Where can I be tested for COVID-19?

Adirondack Health is billing insurance if the patient has a doctor’s order, otherwise it costs $80. A same-day appointment can be scheduled when you call ahead – 518 897-2462. Test results typically take 24-48 hours.

Alice Hyde requires a doctor’s order – asymptomatic will be tested in the hospital, symptomatic will be tested curb side. Insurance is billed. If no insurance, it’s about $108. Call 518 483-3000 to schedule a test.

Mountain Medical does not require a doctor’s order but instead requires an office visit and then offers a rapid test or a send out PCR. Insurance is billed. If the patient has no insurance, the office visit is discounted for locals (within 60 mile radius) at $80 and the rapid test is $32. If the person chooses PCR, the lab will bill the patient directly. To schedule an appointment, call 518 897-1000 in Saranac Lake or 518 521-3322 in Malone.

Walgreen’s - According to their web site, Walgreen’s offers free self-administered COVID testing at their store in Malone. Customers receive a self-administered test at the drive thru window. Go to Walgreens.com to schedule a test.

Kinney Drugs – According to their web site, Kinney Drugs offers free asymptomatic COVID testing at their stores in Malone and Saranac Lake. Customers receive a self-administered test at the drive thru window. Results are received in 3-5 days. Go to Kinneydrugs.com to schedule a test.

How many students, faculty and staff are testing positive for COVID-19 in my child’s school?

Go to the NYSDOH COVID-19 Report Card at https://schoolcovidreportcard.health.ny.gov/#/home to see the number of positive school tests in regions of New York State, school districts, and individual schools.