NYC’s healthcare system provides many resources for those who test positive for COVID-19, which you can find on the NYC Health + Hospital website.
The health system wants to New Yorkers to keep family and roommates as safe as possible, as transmission can easily spread between those living together.
Here is some of what’s included, and how to access it:
New Yorkers who test positive for #COVID19 – or who may have been exposed to the virus – can qualify for a FREE Take Care hotel room to safely quarantine for up to 10 days.
If you think you may be eligible, please call 1-212-COVID19 (212-268-4319) to book a room. https://t.co/ikE34ibXef
— NYC Council Member Carlina Rivera (@CMCarlinaRivera) December 20, 2021
First, New Yorkers who test positive for COVID-19 or who may have been exposed to the virus can qualify for a FREE hotel room for up to 10 days to safely separate and protect their loves ones. This includes:
- Round-trip transportation to and from the hotel and any necessary medical appointments
- Private rooms and bathrooms
- Onsite COVID-19 testing
- Free Wi-Fi and unlimited local phones calls to stay connected
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily
- Medication delivery
- On site health care services by skilled doctors and nurses
- Telepsychiatry to access expert mental health providers
If you decide to safely separate at home, the city will still provide free resources that include:
- Food delivery
- Paid leave from your employer
- Help to get a formal quarantine order
- Medicine
- Health insurance
- A primary care provider
- Mental health support
- Utilities (electricity, water, gas)
- Housing and homelessness resources
- Help with domestic violence
- Social services
- Pet care
- Take Care Package with enough personal protective equipment for a household of three to quarantine/isolate for 10 days.
- And much more!
What’s in the Take Care Package?
According to their website, a “Take Care” package includes enough personal protective equipment for a household of three to quarantine for 10 days. This includes: medical-grade masks, hand sanitizer, a thermometer, and a pulse oximeter to help those who test positive for COVID-19 monitor their oxygen levels.
If you test positive NYC will offer to send you a "take care" package with masks, hand sanitizer, a thermometer, pulse oximeter, etc. 2/ pic.twitter.com/4CykuLKniq
— Mark D. Levine (@MarkLevineNYC) December 19, 2021
So how exactly do you access these resources, you may be wondering?
First, if you do a COVID-19 test within the city and it comes back positive, the NYC Test & Trace Corps Contact Tracers should be in contact about next steps. If you haven’t heard from them, or if you test positive from an at-home COVID-19 test so the city isn’t aware, contact them at 1-212-COVID19 (212-268-4319). Press 5 for help to safely separate, or to leave a voicemail for other resources. A resource navigator will call you back.
What about mental health resources?
NYC has a whole page of resources that can help you cope during this difficult time. From recommended emotional support apps, to speaking with trained professionals from NYC Well or NY Project Hope, to resources for specific issues like trauma, alcohol abuse or specific needs for essential or healthcare workers, find everything on their website here.
You can read this person’s first-hand experience if you still want a walkthrough of how it works:
THREAD: As #Omicron surges and our systems strain, I wanted to share my #COVID19 experience in NYC last month. It was actually a hopeful window into what a society where we look out for one another and a government that is set up to truly care for us could look like.
— Chelsea Watson (@chelsea_wats) December 20, 2021
There is also a virtual option for any Urgent Care needs — their Virtual ExpressCare Service will connect you with an emergency room (ER) doctor using your smart phone or computer, and conduct a virtual visit, prescribe any needed medications, etc. On-screen interpreters are available in over 200 languages.
Though it’s undoubtedly a tough time, know that there are care options for you — and you are not dealing with this alone.