Covid-19 Updates & Information
After Hours Call Number
If you need to get in touch with an STC Supervisor between the hours of 4 pm – 8 am on any day of the week, call (607) 376-7526 x101. For issues that arise Monday through Friday, 8 am – 4 pm, please contact your Care Manager. For health-related emergencies, please dial 911.
Quick Links
About the Virus
- COVID-19 Materials for People with I/DD
- OPWDD Coronavirus Guidance
- OPWDD Coronavirus Guidance Documents
- Variants: What you need to know
About the Vaccine
When Visiting Your Doctor
- COVID-19 Disability Form (PDF)
This form can help physicians provide you with proper medical treatment in case you need to go to the hospital for COVID-19 related symptoms. - Getting a Vaccine: What to Know About Me (PDF)
This form can help nurses or physicians administer a successful vaccine administration either in a clinic or drive-thru environment.
Digital Eye Strain
One underlooked result from COVID-19 and the work-from-home era is prolonged screen use. Using devices with screens for longer than even just two hours can cause discomfort or pain known as digital eye strain. NVISION Eye Centers, a community of surgeons, optometrist partners, and employees dedicated to helping people live better by seeing better, recently published two helpful guides. The first discusses digital eye strain, which includes symptoms, prevention, and treatment options. The other shares information about the effects of prolonged screen time on your eyes.
Adjusting to COVID & Autism
The coronavirus (COVID-19) has changed almost every part of modern life. Those with ASD also thrive on routine and consistency, and those things are hard to find amid the COVID-19 crisis. Families can help. The discussions you hold about the coronavirus and the choices you make as you plot out each day can help everyone manage the situation a bit better.
Read the full article from Elemy here.
Announcements
Health officials, including Southern Tier Connect’s partner organizations, are monitoring the status and spread of COVID-19 on a daily basis. This is a difficult time for many who are uncertain about what this global pandemic means for both themselves and the world as a whole. We want to assure all members that we are available as a resource to the fullest of our abilities.
Below you can find the most recent updates as we assess this rapidly evolving situation. This page was last updated on January 6, 2022.
2022 Updates
Vaccine Eligibility
According to the CDC, everyone 5 years of age and older is now eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccination, and everyone ages 18 and older should get a booster shot.
Booster Shots
The COVID-19 Omicron variant, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has rapidly become the common strain of the virus. Early data indicates that Omicron is more contagious and spreads more quickly than the highly transmissible Delta variant.
Recent data shows that a booster shot, an additional vaccine dose for those that have been vaccinated, increases the immune response to COVID-19. With an increased immune response, people have improved protection against getting infected with COVID-19, including the Omicron variant. We know that unvaccinated people are 17 times more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19*. The best way to protect yourself is to get vaccinated and boosted. Vaccines are safe, effective at reducing the chances of getting severely ill, hospitalized, or dying from COVID-19, and are widely available.
To be eligible for a booster shot, you must have completed both doses of your initial Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine over six months ago, or your single Johnson & Johnson vaccine over two months ago. You can receive any of the COVID-19 vaccines authorized in the United States as your booster (Pfizer, Moderna, or J&J).
- Springbrook is offering COVID-19 vaccine clinics by appointment in Oneonta. Please contact your care manager for more information about how to register.
- You may also get your vaccine at any local pharmacy or your PCP office. To find sites that are offering the COVID-19 booster, please visit https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/
2021 Updates
December 21, 2021
Studies show that after getting vaccinated against Covid-19, protection against the virus may decrease over time and be less able to protect against the Delta variant. Although Covid-19 vaccination for adults aged 65 years and older remains effective in preventing severe disease, recent data suggests vaccination is less effective at preventing infection or milder illness with symptoms. At this time, anyone aged 18 years and older can receive a Covid-19 vaccine booster shot.
August 23, 2021
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first Covid-19 vaccine. First known as the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 Vaccine, it will now be marketed as Comirnaty (koe-mir’-na-tee) for the prevention of Covid-19 in individuals 16 years of age and older. The vaccine is still available for emergency use authorization, including for individuals 12-15 years of age, and for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised individuals.
August 16, 2021
Governor Cuomo announced that all healthcare workers in New York State, including staff at hospitals and long-term care facilities, including nursing homes, adult care, and other congregate care settings, will be required to be vaccinated against Covid-19 by Monday, September 27. It is yet to be determined if OPWDD facilities are included in this mandate.
The State Department of Health has also authorized a third Covid-19 vaccine dose for New yorkers with compromised immune systems. Following the CDC’s recommendation, eligible New Yorkers can receive their third vaccine dose 28 days after the completion of their two-dose vaccine series, effective immediately.
As always, if you are interested in receiving a Covid-19 vaccine, whether it be your first dose or a booster shot, please contact your care manager for more information. If you cannot reach your care manager, please contact:
our main info line at 607-376-7526 ext. 100
or email info@southerntierconnect.org
Frequently Asked Questions
To help consolidate information, have assembled some FAQs, along with both internal and external resources below to share our response to this developing situation.
What is COVID-19?
What are some steps to address COVID-19?
- Continue practicing proactive steps to keep you and your loved ones safe from this virus. This includes regular and prolonged hand washing practices.
- If you, the individual you care for or anyone in your household is experiencing respiratory illness or flu like symptoms please notify your Primary Care Physician or Health Care Provider immediately.
I have a meeting scheduled with Southern Tier Connect; what should I do?
You have options to communicate with your Care Manager in a variety of ways- phone, video conference, email etc. Please contact our main number (607)376-7526 or contact your Care Manager/ Intake Coordinator directly to schedule an alternative meeting method.
What is Southern Tier Connect doing to prevent the spread of COVID-19?
Care Coordination Managers are pre-screening all face-to-face meetings with a courtesy call to assess the health and wellbeing of all household/site residents before arriving.
We are obligated to call the local Public Health Department if we are notified of any of our staff testing positive per OSHA Regulations.
Where can I find more information about COVID-19?
The Covid-19 Vaccine - What We Know
Visit STC’s Covid-19 vaccine information page for up-to-date information and resources.
CDC Covid-19 Toolkit For People with I/DD
With this online guide, you will find information and tools to help people with disabilities and those who serve or care for them. These resources can help you make decisions, protect your health, and communicate with your community.
Don't Forget Your Flu Shot!
While our primary public health concern at this time is COVID-19, we also want to stress the importance of preventing the spread of influenza. Here are some useful resources to cover the essentials of the flu shot during the pandemic, as well as some seasonal health information.
Local and Regional Services
211-NY has collected information about services in different communities across NY. Select your county below to connect with these resources, or if you are interested in resources outside of your county, click the icon for all of New York State. We have also included a link to FindHelp.org, which includes a zip code search for services near you.
Additional Regional Resources
Trusted State and National Resources
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Office for People with Developmental Disabilities
New York State Department of Education
Springbrook
