Cayuga Health announced today that they meet Governor Cuomo’s requirements to begin performing outpatient elective surgeries. Cayuga Medical Center will resume the week of May 4, 2020 and Schuyler Hospital on May 12th. The NYS requirements consist of fewer than 10 new hospitalizations of coronavirus patients in the county over the past 10 days. Patients also must test negative for COVID-19 before undergoing a surgical procedure.

“For the past seven weeks, COVID-19 has impacted our operation throughout Cayuga Health System. Per the Governor’s announcement last week, our team is preparing, and getting ready. Safety is our first priority on meeting the needs of our elective surgery patients,” states Dr. Martin Stallone, President and CEO of Cayuga Health. “We are ready and able to resume elective surgery with an adequate supply of PPE, all infection control measures will be followed, and safety monitoring is already in place to make sure our patients are safe. Our team in surgical services has been working hard over the past several weeks to prepare for the reopening of outpatient elective surgeries and we are ready to resume.”

“We want to thank our providers and employees for their dedication and support during this very challenging period,” adds Stallone. “Throughout this public health emergency, I am very proud of the response, dedication, and flexibility of our entire team. Together, we have been able to meet

the many challenges presented by COVID-19 head on and we will continue to make sure our patients feel safe under our care.”

Testing for COVID-19 is available at the Cayuga Health Sampling Site located at The Shops at Ithaca Mall parking lot, 40 Catherwood Rd., between the hours of 10 am-3 pm Monday through Friday. A website with on-line registration is available at www.cayugahealth.org for patients to review the screening criteria and pre-register before their arrival, allowing greater efficiencies with patient volume and decreased wait times.

In addition, a call center has been set up for patients who may not have access to Internet, need assistance registering, or have questions. The call center number is 607-319-5708. Individuals are strongly encouraged to pre-register prior to coming to the site.

The Sampling Center is located in portable structures at The Shops at Ithaca Mall parking lot and is staffed by experienced and knowledgeable Cayuga Health employees.