POTSDAM -- As COVID-19-positive cases continue to be reported in St. Lawrence County on a regular basis, St. Lawrence Health System is prepared to test individuals who may be experiencing symptoms, or who are employed in essential jobs where they interact with the public.

Earlier this week the New York State Department of Health (DOH) released information stating there are four priority testing level groups. Dr. Andrew Williams, Canton-Potsdam Hospital associate chief medical officer, said all of the testing sites have a full inventory of testing supplies, and SLHS is hopeful the individuals included in the priority levels come in for testing.

“Our big concern is people who are asymptomatic, but are actually COVID-positive, and are out there working while they are contagious,” he said. “It would be tragic to open the northern communities without having extensive testing. Screening individuals who are in healthcare, and public-interaction jobs is really the only way to identify these individuals.”

According to the DOH, priority level one consist of individuals who are symptomatic, particularly those in a high-risk population; and level two includes individuals who have had close contact with a COVID-positive person. Level three includes people employed as health care workers, first responders, nursing home staff, or any other position where they work in an environment where people congregate. Level four contains a list of nearly 30 professions that are deemed essential, such as employees involved with deliveries, child care, dental visits, funeral homes, faith-based leaders, counselors, automotive, mail, social workers, security guards, maintenance, grocery and convenience stores, and trash/recycling workers.

“Ideally, there would be an established frequency of testing for these individuals, but that is likely only practical once we have the rapid, point of care testing options,” Dr. Williams said. “We are going to start with a one-time screening approach for now.”

In addition to RT-PCR testing that demonstrates acute COVID 19 infection, the System is also offering serology, or antibody, testing for those who want to know if they may have had COVID-19, but were asymptomatic. Blood tests for COVID-19 serology can be ordered by a patient’s provider.

Canton-Potsdam Hospital Primary Care Provider Ashley Grimshaw, MD, has been involved with the COVID-19 Testing Centers since they were first set up through St. Lawrence Health System. She said the fact they are having tests completed by appointment only has allowed for the process to be very organized.

“The arrangement of appointments is assuring the safety of all our patients, and our staff,” she said.

Dr. Grimshaw pointed out new symptoms were recently added to the largely reported ones of cough, high fever, shortness of breath, unexplained severe fatigue, and/or loss of taste or smell. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has added chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, and sore throat.

“To my knowledge, there is nothing out of the ordinary about these symptoms that is common amongst patients suffering from COVID 19,” Dr. Grimshaw said. “We want people to contact us if they are concerned because they have symptoms. They need to let their provider determine what the appropriate next steps are.”

St. Lawrence Health System has established a Hotline for people to call to make a COVID-19 testing appointment. The Hotline is 315-261-6240, and is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Area residents may also call the St. Lawrence County Department of Health at 315-229-3448 to inquire about an appointment.

Individuals who are concerned that they previously had undiagnosed COVID-19 can have the serology test. It is also helpful from an epidemiological standpoint by providing statistics about the virus itself, and can assist hospital leaders and public health officials with making policies and decisions.

“The serology test checks for antibodies that indicate you were exposed to the infection. It usually takes more than seven days to develop these antibodies, so most patients with a positive test have already recovered from the illness,” Dr. Williams said. “Unfortunately, finding out that you had the coronavirus does not confirm you are now immune. The CDC has reported there is no clear documentation of immunity to the disease at this point.”

Anyone experiencing a medical emergency should dial 9-1-1 immediately.

St. Lawrence Health System Testing Center information, and links to other COVID-19 initiatives, may be found at https://www.stlawrencehealthsystem.org/covid-19/testing-centers.

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