There has been a recent outbreak of Covid at the Roosevelt Island NY Health + Hospitals Coler Rehab & Nursing facility.
Last Tuesday a Tipster reported:
… major Covid outbreak in Coler Nursing Home…
I asked NY Health + Hospitals on Tuesday:
I understand there has been a major Covid outbreak at Coler Hospital on Roosevelt Island. Is that true?
How many Covid cases at Coler and what is being done? Have there been any fatalities?
Is Coler under lockdown as it was during the pandemic?
Any statement about the Coler outbreak from NYC Health + Hospitals?
A NY Health + Hospitals spokesperson replied today:
NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler always prioritizes the safety and well-being of its staff, residents, and visitors. The facility is currently following its infection control protocols to address exposure to the COVID-19 virus and prevent further transmission. Confirmed and exposed cases have been safely isolated in designated recovery areas, separate from other residents. No staff or residents have been hospitalized. While implementing the necessary containment measures, we will continue to monitor our residents and ensure they receive the high-quality care they need to make a full and quick recovery.
According to the spokesperson:
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler is a long-term care skilled nursing facility, and member of the Post-Acute Care service line.
- Coler is working in concert with the NYSDOH Regional Epidemiologist to report and closely monitor transmission.
- All staff are required to wear surgical and procedural masks throughout the duration of the outbreak.
- To prevent exposure, staff use Respirator N95s which ensure high-level respiratory protection when providing care, treatment, or services to positive COVID-19 cases and residents with exposure.
- Staff treating infected residents in isolation areas will have no interaction with other residents living outside of isolation areas.
- New Coler admissions remain uninterrupted. New admissions are tested upon arrival and, if negative, are placed on units/floors isolated from the outbreak.
- Rapid COVID-19 testing is available for staff and residents. Tests are performed according to NYSDOH, CMS guidelines.
- Flu and Covid-19 vaccinations continue to be made available to staff and residents.
- NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler will continue to provide up-to-date information to public health officials, staff, residents, families, and members of the community.
Regarding your additional question about a rise in COVID rates in other parts of our health system, we have not seen an uptick. I hope this is helpful.
The spokesperson added that currently there are approximately 40 cases of Covid at Coler.