The Situation Report | April 1, 2024
On February 29th, the state Department of Health (DOH) posted a Health Advisory on the upcoming total solar eclipse.
The eclipse will occur on April 8th, at which NYS will be in the path of totality of a Total Solar Eclipse. Cities and towns directly in the path of totality include Jamestown, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Watertown, Old Forge, Lake Placid, and Plattsburgh. Other areas of the state will also be affected (see DOH Health Advisory & the Rochester Museum & Science Center resource).
This highly anticipated event will have a significant impact throughout the state, bringing hundreds of thousands of visitors. Between 3:15pm-3:30pm the moon will pass between the earth and the sun turning day into night for 1-3 minutes. The entire event will last around 2 ½ hours, but the travel to and throughout NYS is anticipated to have tremendous impacts on the roads and travel time.
The Home Care Association of NYS (HCA) has been participating in the Western Region Health Emergency Preparedness Coalition (HEPC) Eclipse Workgroup. This workgroup drafted guidance and recommendations for hospitals, diagnostic & treatment centers, dialysis centers, nursing homes, homecare agencies, hospice, and adult care facilities. DOH utilized the Workgroup’s proposed guidance and recommendations in the official Health Advisory which was released on February 29th.
In the February 29th Health Advisory, the Department released the guidance with the following message:
“With the upcoming total solar eclipse happening in New York State on April 8th, facilities and providers are reminded of the possible significant influx of eclipse enthusiasts which may disrupt operations. The Department is encouraging facilities to prepare and review both staffing plans and surge supplies to ensure they are prepared.”
Among the key takeaways:
Staffing:
- Depending upon your facility or patient location, staff could be impacted by increased congestion on the roads due to visitors from out of the area.
- All staff should anticipate longer travel times and should expect traffic delays to and from facilities or patients’ homes.
- All staff should anticipate public transportation delays and cancellations.
- Remind staff to schedule more time for travel to and from assignments that day.
- Messaging to staff in advance of the eclipse should include the above information and reminders on how to prepare.
Home Care / Hospice
- Notify patients of the eclipse and what to expect, and that providers may be late.
- Determine which patients need to be seen daily and which ones can have visits postponed.
- Remind staff of the eclipse and ramifications for travel for themselves and their families.
- Recommend visits by family or friends be postponed or scheduled for a different day.
- Conduct a call-down of staff to determine availability.
For more information:
View the full DOH guidance here.
View the Rochester Museum & Science Center’s Fact Sheet Here.