As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Tioga County is working to keep residents updated. As a service to the community, The Owego Pennysaver is also posting these updates online, daily, and at www.owegopennysaver.com.
During the last week, the county provided more specific updates to services. They include the following.
The county understands that many people may be experiencing mental health symptoms that are new to them with all that is happening with the COVID-19 pandemic. They are encouraging anyone experiencing mental health or substance use difficulties to contact them at (607) 687-4000.
At this time the Owego clinic remains open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is providing services remotely by telephone and telehealth (video); they are remotely able to offer new Intake Assessments (Mental Health and Alcohol and Drug Services), health assessments, individual therapy, psychiatric medication management, Suboxone management, crisis services, and face to face services as necessary.
The Waverly clinic remains open Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for remote therapy and medication management services.
After hours crisis remains available by phone after 5 p.m. weekdays and on weekends by calling (607) 687-1010 and asking for the on-call mental health social worker.
The county reported that the Department of Social Servicesis fully operational, but with restricted public access at the Health and Human Services (HHS) building. Staff is available on a rotational basis with some staff able to work from home, especially in the Children’s Services division due to remote capabilities.
The application kiosk, which is available in the vestibule of the HHS building, allows residents to obtain paper applications for assistance and then submit them at the drop box located outside the building. If you have Internet access, you can do the same application process electronically at www.myBenefits.ny.gov.
At this time, they continue to be able to process applications in a timely fashion and expedited SNAP (Food Stamps) applications are generally processed within one to two working days.
Service caseworkers continue to be in the field conducting mandated Child Protective and Adult Protective home visits. The State has made many regulatory adjustments to home visit requirements, but there are some that still must be conducted in order to keep vulnerable citizens protected, especially children.
Court activities continue through virtual options. You can reach the Department of Social Services at (607) 687-8300. The State Central Registry (Child Abuse Hotline) number is 1-800-342-3720.
Chairwoman Martha Sauerbrey reported it is essential that everyone remains home over the next several weeks and continues to do their part to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
In a release, Sauerbrey stated, “If you must go out, the CDC is now recommending that you use a cloth face covering when going into public settings such as grocery stores and pharmacies as a way to prevent someone from transmitting the virus who may be asymptomatic (someone who has the virus, but currently is not showing symptoms and may not otherwise know they are a carrier).”
The general public is encouraged to use and make cloth masks out of things like handkerchiefs or cotton t- shirts. Directions on how to make a facemask can be found at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html.
Surgical and N-95 masks should be left for healthcare professionals and first responders. If you do not have a cloth mask, remaining six feet apart from other individuals is critical.
As of Thursday evening, there were 18 confirmed cases in Tioga County, 116 individuals in mandatory quarantine, five in precautionary quarantine, 17 tests pending, and seven individuals have recovered. Be sure to visit us online at www.owegopennysaver.com for daily updates.
For more COVID-19 information, you can also visit https://covid19.tiogacountyny.com.
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