Message from the Dean
To: WCM Community
Subject: May 11 Dean’s COVID-19 Update
On Thursday, May 14, I will be holding a Town Hall meeting by Zoom at 4:00 pm. This will be an opportunity for me to update you on our institution’s response to the pandemic and our evolving plans to return to “new normal” operations. Members of the WCM community (with a WCM CWID) are encouraged to register for the Town Hall meeting and to submit questions for me here.
The initial COVID-19 crisis at our medical center has passed. Over the last ten days, there have been less than ten new patients with COVID-19 admitted to the hospital each day, compared to sixty per day at the peak of the crisis. The total number of hospitalized patients has decreased by 16% compared to a week ago and is 44% lower than at the peak. The number of patients in intensive care has decreased by 29% in the past week and is 57% lower compared to the peak. In addition, most of our clinical staff who were redeployed to the front lines of care will return to their home departments by the end of this week. Thank you so much to all our healthcare workers and other essential personnel who have remained on site since March for their outstanding efforts on behalf of Weill Cornell Medicine and New York City!
As we begin to resume activities and transition to the “new normal,” we are ensuring that our plans align with public health guidance and with Governor Cuomo’s plan to re-open New York. Our priority is to continue to advance our mission as an academic medical institution, in as safe and responsible a manner as possible. Senior leadership in clinical care, research, and education are working together to develop possible timelines for expanding operations and for gradually bringing additional faculty, staff, and students back on site. Implementation of these plans will proceed at different paces since there are many variables that need to be considered, including external factors beyond our control. Not everyone will have the same schedule for returning back to on-site work or education.
We recognize that this period of time is one of considerable uncertainty, especially for those who have been working or studying remotely this spring. We will be certain to keep you informed as plans progress, as soon as we possibly can. Throughout the coming weeks, please also be in contact with your supervisor or unit leader regarding any questions or concerns that you might have about your specific work or learning situation.
Starting today, the 1300 York Avenue entrance will be reopened as an employee-only entrance for Weill Cornell Medicine and NewYork-Presbyterian employees to promote social distancing. The East 68th Street/Kalikow Lobby entrance will now be used solely for patients, visitors, and clinical screening.
WCM Central continues to be updated with new resources, including the opportunity for WCM employees to sign up for a free, 1-year Citi Bike membership to help get to and from work. The Bright Horizons Crisis Care Assist program, which provides reimbursement of up to $100 per day for an in-home caregiver, has been extended through June 30, 2020. Please visit the site regularly for additional services and information.
Sincerely,
Augustine M.K. Choi, M.D.
Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean
Weill Cornell Medicine
Provost for Medical Affairs
Cornell University