×

Common COVID-19 questions answered

Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake (Photo provided by Adirondack Health)

SARANAC LAKE — Public health officials answered a range of questions about the coronavirus during a virtual panel in Saranac Lake on Friday.

The panelists included Patrick Murphy, director of the Saranac Lake Chamber of Commerce, which hosted the event, as well as Adirondack Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Darci Beiras, CEO Sylvia Getman and spokesman Matt Scollin.

Below is a synopsis of some of the questions the panelists answered. A full video of the discussion is available online at www.slareachamber.org.

How long does the virus survive?

Beiras said how long the virus can last on a surface depends on the type of surface.

For copper, studies show that it’s about four hours, she said. On cardboard, it’s 24 hours — on plastic and steel, between two to three days.

She recommended using wipes or a homemade diluted bleach product to sanitize surfaces.

There are also some studies that show this virus can be out in the air for up to three hours, Beiras said.

Reoccurring?

Once a person contracts COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, it appears that the person develops somewhat of an immunity to it, according to Beiras.

“It’s looking like there is immunity being developed once someone does get COVID-19, but it’s unclear how long that immunity lasts,” she said.

Medical professionals around the country have echoed Beiras on this, saying it isn’t yet clear whether a person can be reinfected with the novel coronavirus.

“Based on other infections where you get a deep lung infection, you are usually protected against the second infection. If you just have a mild COVID-19 infection that involves your upper airway, maybe it will behave like a common cold coronavirus and maybe you can be reinfected again,” Dr. Stanley Perlman, of the University of Iowa, told NPR last week. “We just really don’t know. It’s even hard to speculate.”

Re-infection happens with viruses that cause between 10 to 30% of common cold cases, according to NPR. People develop antibodies after becoming sick, but those antibody levels eventually decline and people are susceptible to becoming ill again.

“Most respiratory viruses only give you a period of relative protection. I’m talking about a year or two. That’s what we know about the seasonal coronaviruses,” infectious disease expert Dr. Ann Falsey, of the University of Rochester Medical Center, told NPR.

How many beds?

Adirondack Health’s Adirondack Medical Center hospital in Saranac Lake currently has 43 staffed beds and eight intensive-care beds with plans in place to expand that capacity, according to Getman. The hospital has nine ventilators.

There are plans in place to expand the hospital’s capacity by 50% — a directive from the state — by using its former ambulatory surgery center and rooms from its new one. Getman said the hospital has had offers of space from some of the local colleges and hotels if more space for beds is needed.

“We have more people who have volunteered than we need to get to the 50%,” she said.

The state directed hospitals on Monday to begin looking to expand their capacity by 100%, Getman said. The hospital is putting together a plan for how to do that now.

There is additional testing capacity at Lake Placid Medical Fitness Center, which has an emergency room, lab and imaging capabilities but no extra beds. Adirondack Health also has health centers in Tupper Lake and Keene. Getman said they’re looking at how best to use those facilities.

But if that capacity is needed, the real challenge won’t be the space, she said — it will be the staffing that will be required.

“I think we’re as prepared as we can be given the uncertainty of the situation we’re facing,” Getman said.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said during his daily press briefing in New York City on Friday that 62,447 retired health care workers statewide have volunteered to help out during this crisis.

“The number went up 10,000 in one day,” he said. “How beautiful is that?”

Protecting staff?

Asked how Adirondack Health is protecting staff from exposure to the coronavirus, Getman said the hospital is doing what it can to screen the limited number of visitors who are being allowed into the hospital, and screening its staff for symptoms.

The hospital is encouraging social distancing among its staff, she said, and CDC guidelines are being followed. But the hospital is looking to source more personal protective materials like gowns, masks and gloves, though Getman said it’s unclear how great the need will be in the future.

“We’re trying to ensure patients are well cared for and protected, and people who are going to be put out to care for them are being cared for at the same time,” she said. “We have a great team, and we’re trying to keep them safe.”

Testing?

Testing at many local hospitals, including AMC in Saranac Lake, has been limited to inpatients as hospitals attempt to conserve testing materials, which are in short supply.

Testing was also limited because even if a test one day is negative, a person can still go out into public and contract the virus later, Getman said.

“We don’t want to give people a false sense of security, that’s not good for anyone,” she said.

Beiras said when a person is tested, it generally involves a nasal swab.

“Once that swab is obtained, it’s processed and sent out to a laboratory,” she said.

The turnaround time for those results has varied from four to seven days because of the volume of samples being sent to labs right now, according to Beiras.

Asked if the hospital needed donations of anything in particular, Getman said the hospital has sufficient supplies for now.

“The need is going to change as we move forward,” she said. “Luckily, we haven’t had to ask for toilet paper yet.”

How to cope?

Loneliness as a result of isolation from others, and stress and anxiety over job loss or health concerns, are among the many mental health impacts of this global pandemic.

There are plenty of ways to cope, according to Beiras.

“Get out, take a walk. Enjoy the sun when it’s out,” she said. “There’s definitely things you can do while still social distancing. … Use FaceTime to connect with others. Play remote games.”

Getman suggested meditation.

“We forget breathing is a very good thing as well,” she said.

A mental health hotline for anyone who needs help has also been established by the state Office of Mental Health. Those who have mental health concerns and need someone to talk to, or need help finding resources, should call 1-844-863-9314.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.75/week.

Subscribe Today