Also, as of April 3, drive-up testing was discontinued at the COVID cabin behind the Annex building at Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake. All COVID-19 testing is moving to the outpatient lab next to AMC’s main lobby.

Pre-operative testing is no longer be required for surgical patients or inpatients at time of admission, unless they are symptomatic (fever, respiratory or gastrointestintinal issues). Adirondack Health is no longer test inpatient admissions routinely except for obstetrical patients and patients of the Colby Center Senior Behavioral Health Unit. A doctor’s order will be required for all testing. All individuals requiring tests will conduct self-performed nasal swabs. The COVID clinic fax line will forward to the patient registration fax line, beginning April 3.

Adirondack Health’s Medical Executive Committee voted to end the universal mask mandate last week, keeping its policy in line with current guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New York State Department of Health and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s executive orders.

This policy change applies to employees, patients, visitors, volunteers, vendors and students. However, masks will still be required for the following scenarios:

¯ anyone who has had close contact or a high-risk exposure to someone with a COVID-19 infection

¯ anyone providing direct care to patients who are moderately or severely immunocompromised

¯ anyone who has not received the influenza vaccine for the current season (masking only required in clinical areas).

Anyone who feels more comfortable wearing a mask may continue to do so.