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News & Resources > Coronavirus & Influenza Updates

A Coronavirus Phone Line is available for families to call at 716.817.7445. An afterhours Coronavirus hotline is available for families and people enrolled in our Day Habilitation Programs and Vocational Services to share questions at 716.529.6505. Concerns may also be emailed to COVIDconcern@people-inc.org.

People Inc. also maintains an Emergency Closing Line for program participants, families and staff containing updated information about weather-related program closures. Call 716.817.5700 (Western New York) or 585.441.9393 (Greater Rochester Region) to find out if your program or location is closed.
 

Note:

On March 7, 2024, People Inc. updated the visitor policy for all residential facilities based on the recent Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) revised guidance on the "Management of Communicable Respiratory Viral Infections." Communicable Respiratory Viral Infections include: seasonal influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, measles, varicella zoster (chicken pox), and herpes zoster (shingles).

  • If a person-served in a residence is under investigation (PUI) for or positive for COVID-19 or Influenza or Respiratory Viral Infection: Visitation is limited to outside (if weather permits)/Bedroom.
  • If a person-Served is exposed to a person under investigation for or positive for COVID-19 or Influenza or Respiratory Viral Infection: Visitation is limited to outside (if weather permits)/Designated area in the home away from people in isolation.
  • Face masks are required under the following circumstances:
  • Face Masks are required if a visitor had close contact with someone with COVID-19, wear a well fitted face mask around others for 10-days from last close contact. 
  • Face Masks are required if a visitor completed a minimum 5-day isolation period as a result of a COVID-19 infection and are required to be worn on days 6-10.
  • Face Masks are required if the home has a person receiving services under isolation for PUI or positive COVID-19 or the home is under isolation for a suspected or confirmed influenza.

More information is available at NYS OPWDD and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

June 18, 2020 OPWDD Issues Interim Visitation Guidance for Certified Residential Facilities

Jun 18, 2020

OPWDD issued a series of health advisories regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and guidance for Certified Residential Facilities in March of 2020. Accompanied by strong infection prevention and control requirements, these policies aim to safeguard and maintain the health and wellbeing of residents and staff, while containing and preventing the spread of COVID-19 during the State’s initial growth phase of the pandemic.

After the successful efforts of New Yorkers to flatten the curve and reduce virus transmission, OPWDD recognized the need for sustainable visitation policies for certified residential facilities for the next phase of the public health emergency.

The visitation program for certified residential facilities will be instituted June 19, 2020. After evaluation by OPWDD, in collaboration with the New York State Department of Health (DOH) and participating certified residential facilities, this guidance may be modified.

All facilities opting to allow visitation under this guidance reserve the right to impose additional restrictions, upon notice to and approval by OPWDD. Additionally, any facility opting to allow visitation under this guidance reserves the right to cease participation and end visitation access while visitation restrictions otherwise remain in place, upon notice to OPWDD.

You can sign-up online to receive the latest updates from OPWDD via email or check the OPWDD website frequently for information relating to COVID-19.