04/11/2020
Community Update: 11 April 2020
Good Saturday all! There are some changes starting Monday at the ID card office in Clark Hall that we wanted to tell you about:
- ID Cards will not be replaced due to changes in the personal information printed on the ID Card. Grade changes and name changes will NOT be completed at this time.
- Common Access Cards that are expired or are expiring within the next 30 days will be processed normally as well as initial issuance.
- USID cards (dependent, retiree and all non-CAC) that expired on or after 1 January 2020 are now valid until 30 September 2020 and can be used to gain access at the gates and access benefits.
- DoD has directed that the minimum age for initial issuance of a child’s ID Card is increased from 10 to 14 years of age.
- The online appointment scheduling feature has been disabled. Those needing to make an appointment or ask a questions should call 315-772-5149.
- Masks are required to be worn by everyone in the ID card facility, please bring your own.
Soldiers assigned to a 10th Mountain unit should direct questions to their own Brigade S1. All other customers contact [email protected] or 315-772-5149.
Also, Easter services are still a go, they’ll just be virtual and you can find them here: facebook.com/FortDrumChapel Let us know how you and your family are celebrating!
Catholic:
Easter Vigil - Saturday 11 April at 8 pm
Easter Mass - Sunday 12 April at 9 am
Protestant:
Traditional Service - Sunday 12 April at 9 am
Inspirational Gospel Service - Sunday 12 April at 10 am
Chapel Next Contemporary Service - Sunday 12 April at 11 am
Please remember that the COVID 19 screening tent located outside of CTMC will be closed on Sunday, April 12 in observance of Easter. Those in need of medical care or screening should call the Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-874-2273 for guidance.
If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments and we’ll work to get you answers!
- Reporting Status -
Mission Essential Personnel Only
Please speak with your chain of command/supervisor to determine whether or not you are considered mission essential and for further guidance. See the CG’s full statement here: https://bit.ly/33RB9Fi
- Gate Information -
WSAAF Gate: CLOSED
Mount Belvedere Gate: CLOSED
Cerjan Gate: OPEN
Gas Alley Gate: OPEN
The Cerjan and Gas Alley Access Control Points will have designated lanes for DOD ID card holders and Non-DOD ID card holders. Please look out for those signs and enter the appropriate lane.
Those seeking admittance to post via the Cerjan and Gas Alley Access Control Points will be required to submit to a verbal screening:
1. Have you had contact with someone with a positive COVID-19 test or has a pending COVID-19 test?
2. Are you feeling ill?
3. Do you have a cough?
4. Have you had a fever or felt feverish in the past 24 hours?
5. Have you traveled outside of 40 miles from Fort Drum?
Those who answer yes to any these questions will be provided further guidance by the gate guard on duty. If it is determined that the individual is at risk and they have official business on Fort Drum, they will be directed to the proper military treatment facility for further evaluation. Individuals that exhibit any symptoms due to allergies will be allowed onto post.
Individuals returning to Fort Drum from an off-post medical appointment should inform the medical screener at the gate that you are returning to your on post residence from a medical appointment.
No one who has a requirement to access the installation for essential services (PX, Commissary, emergency services) will be turned away from the installation. This includes Soldiers/dependents living on post, Soldiers/dependents living off post who are seeking medical care on post, DOD ID card holders (Active duty military, DA Civilians, and dependents) and retirees and eligible family members.
Individuals at risk that do not have official business on Fort Drum will be advised to seek further medical evaluation at an off post medical facility.
The Trusted Traveler program is suspended. Local access badges are suspended. Visitors with a bona fide need to enter post will need to go to the Visitor Control Center (Cerjan Access Control Point) during normal business hours from 5:30am – 10pm, where they will submit to background checks and screening.
All visitor passes must be resubmitted through the Soldier’s Chain of Command. Anyone wishing to have a visitor on post who is traveling from more than 40 miles away will need to submit both a completed visitor request memo and an application for sponsorship to the Physical Security Office. You can find an example memo here: https://bit.ly/2wDPdGk It should be completed by your unit prior to submission. You can find the application for sponsorship here: https://bit.ly/3auItcf Completed forms can be submitted to [email protected] (preferred method) in advance or at the VCC in person during normal operating hours.
Retirees and beneficiaries must go through medical screening before entering post.
Contractors and other service providers should seek clarification for Fort Drum access from their supervisors.
- COVID Cases -
Jefferson County: 43 confirmed cases
St Lawerence County: 84 confirmed cases
Lewis County: 8 confirmed cases
- COVID Resources -
Fort Drum Virtual Family Assistance Center (VFAC): https://bit.ly/2UI6J42
Fort Drum Quarantine & Isolation Assistance Line: 315-783-5828 (8 am - 4 pm, Mon - Fri)
Samaritan Resource Line: 315-755-3100 (8 am - 9 pm, 7 days/week)
Carthage Area Hospital: 315-519-5497 (9 am - 7 pm, 7 days/week)
Lewis County General Hospital: (315) 376-9678 (Available 24/7)
Watertown COVID Resources: www.watertowncovidresources.org
NYS COVID Emotional Support Line: 1-844-863-9314
APHC Army COVID-19 Hotline: 1-800-984-8523 (Available 24/7)
- Health Guidance -
Care for COVID Positive Patients:
Bowe TMC will be closed to routine healthcare services and only treating those patients identified as COVID 19 positive. Any COVID-19 positive beneficiaries, including Soldiers, Family members and Retirees, are asked to contact their assigned Nurse Case Manager or the MEDDAC Appointment Line at (315) 772-2778 to request an appointment before physically going to a treatment facility. This includes appointments for both COVID-19 related care and non-COVID-19 related care. Please inform the call center representative of your COVID-19 status. Soldiers previously receiving primary care at Bowe TMC will now receive their care at the Conner TMC. Family members and Retirees will still receive their primary care at the Guthrie clinic unless they are COVID-19 positive.
Wear of Masks:
Masks are required to be worn in all public spaces where a distance of 6 feet or more between individuals cannot be maintained. This also applies to the PX and Commissary. Customers must be wearing a mask/face covering to enter and they will not be provided at the door so please ensure you bring one with you.
• Soldiers are authorized to wear the neck gaiter and other cloth items, such as bandannas and scarves, as face coverings. This guidance applies for both indoors and outdoors as well as while in uniform. Everyone will use good judgment in choosing a mask or cloth face covering.
• Service members will not wear masks or cloth face coverings that have profanity, racist, demeaning or derogatory logos, script or imagery.
• The medical white and light blue type / style mask is authorized with all uniforms.
• Cloth masks or face coverings should be washed daily.
• Do not wear the N95 respirator mask. It should be reserved for our medical personnel.
• Do not wear high altitude training masks in uniform.
• Remember – the mask is not to protect you from getting the virus, it is to protect the spread of the virus as you may be asymptomatic and not know that you have the disease. You can find the full DoD memo here: https://bit.ly/2X9C6aF If you have any questions about the wearing of face coverings within your unit or workplace, please reach out to your chain of command or supervisor.
COVID Screening:
Active duty Soldiers who wish to be screened and who’re experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19 such as a cough, fever or shortness of breath, can report to the central screening location outside of the Conner Troop Medical Clinic between the hours of 0600 and 2000, 7 days a week. Outside of those hours, Soldiers should reach out the the Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-874-2273 for guidance.
Family members and retirees who are Fort Drum MEDDAC beneficiaries and who are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19 should call the Guthrie appointment line at (315) 772-2778 during business hours for screening. After hours please call the Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-874-2273, select option 1.
The drive-up pharmacy will continue to operate until further notice, more info here: https://bit.ly/2WuGbG8
DA Civilians experiencing symptoms consistent with COVID-19 while at work or on duty should immediately notify their supervisor and call the MEDDAC Occupational Health Clinic at (315) 681-1901 between the hours of 6 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. A healthcare worker will conduct an initial screening over the phone and provide additional information as to your next steps. For after-hours care or when not on duty, employees should contact their primary care provider and follow their directions for screening.
Facility Entrance Procedures -
Mandatory health screenings are now being conducted for those wishing to gain entrance to the Exchange, Commissary and Clark Hall. Anyone seeking admittance to these buildings will be required to submit to a temporal temperature check and answer the same questions being required at the gates.
Guthrie Clinic: Single Point of Entry - Everyone entering the clinic will do so at the far side of the Primary Care Clinic and follow the directions of the MEDDAC personnel at the tents for screening. Employees can be screened at the Radiology / Lab entrance between 6 and 7 am. After 7 am, employees will utilize the PCC entrance.
OB/GYN clinic at the Samaritan Medical Center: Before your visit, please read through the following questions. If you answer yes to any of the questions, call the clinic at 315-785-4609 before arriving at the clinic to receive further guidance from our staff:
1. Have you had contact with someone with a positive COVID-19 test or has a pending COVID-19 Test?
2. Do you have a cough?
3. Have you had a fever, chills, sweats, body ache in the past 7 days?
4. Are you feeling ill?
5. Have you traveled outside of 40 miles from Fort Drum in the last 14 days?
Please do not show up to the clinic without clearing with the clinic if you answer yes to any of the above questions.
For your scheduled OB or GYN appointment, upon arrival to the parking garage (or parking lot), please call 315-608-1327 to check in and remain in your vehicle.
At this time, only the patient is allowed into the clinic. Partners are being asked to wait in the car. Patients can video conference their partners during appointments if desired. If there is a language barrier, we do have a language line to use. We must know which specific language/dialect to use at least 1 day prior to your appointment.
Behavioral Health: Patients should report to the Conner Troop Medical Clinic for screening prior to going to the Wilcox Clinic or Embedded Behavioral Health clinics. Once cleared, patients will receive a wristband which will be required before entering one of the behavioral health clinics.
Clark Hall: Single Point of Entry - Anyone needing to access Clark Hall must enter through the front doors of the facility. This includes mail clerks retrieving mail for units. After entering through the front doors, mail clerks should proceed to the second floor and utilize C-wing to access the Official Mail Distribution Center.
- Restrictions -
Barracks: Soldiers can no longer visit another unit’s barracks until further notice. Example – a Soldier from 4-31IN cannot visit a Soldier in 41BEB barracks
Public Spaces: All Fort Drum public community spaces, to include playgrounds, dog parks, tennis/basketball courts, soccer fields are off limits to all personnel until further notice. Trails remain open at this time. Please continue to practice safe social distancing when using these paths.
- Services Status -
The most recently updated service(s) information is listed below. For the full list of closures and adjustments visit https://home.army.mil/drum/index.php/about/Garrison/public-affairs/coronavirus-update
Dental Clinics:
Stone Dental Clinic - CLOSED
Marshall Dental Clinic - only offering services for emergency dental pain and exams from 0830 - 1630. Please call 315-772-8891 to speak to a dentist and be screened before coming in.
DFACs: OPEN - take out options only
Barber Shops: CLOSED
CDCs and SAC: Open to mission essential patrons. Po Valley CDC will combine with Chapel CDC and South Riva Ridge CDC in building 10785C at the Main Post Chapel on Po Valley Road. POC is Evelyn Eggins-Alston at 315-772-9470 or [email protected].
School Liaison Officer: Available to assist with K-12 school questions and concerns - [email protected] or 315-772-3214
Commissary: OPEN Tues-Sun 0900 to 1700 for service members and their beneficiaries and 1700 to 1900 for retirees and other authorized users. Please note that everyone entering the commissary is required to wear a cloth face covering that they have brought with them. Masks will not be provided at the door. 100% ID check has been implemented at the doors and purchase limits have been placed on certain high demand items. Shoppers are asked to not bring in their own shopping bags at this time.
FMWR Fitness Facilities: CLOSED, but offering alternative fitness methods. Easy @Home Workout - https://bit.ly/2UtXnsF
PX: OPEN Mon-Sat 0900-1800, Sun 1000-1800; Please note that all visitors to the PX are required to wear a cloth face covering that they have brought with them. Masks will not be provided at the door. In an effort to support social distancing measures, the Fort Drum PX has expanded their services to include curbside pickup. Place your order online at shopmyexchange.com as a “Buy on line Pick up in store” order for the Fort Drum Exchange. When the order is ready, the store will call and offer the curbside pickup option. At the store, shoppers park in a designated numbered space, call the phone number on the sign 315-836-7463 and the order is delivered to their vehicle.
Mini Mall PX: OPEN Mon-Fri 0600-2100, Sat 0700-2100, Sun 0700-2000
Religious Services: All services will now be conducted virtually. Please visit @FortDrumChapel for more information.
- Redeployments -
In the coming weeks, members of the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade and 1st Brigade Combat Team will be returning to Fort Drum ahead of their scheduled redeployment dates. Upon arrival here at Fort Drum all redeploying Soldiers will be quarantined and monitored by medical staff. We’ll have more information on that process as it becomes available. Those Soldiers deemed essential to the ongoing mission in Afghanistan will remain in place. Family members should reach out to their Soldier, SFRG or unit representatives with any questions regarding their Soldier’s status.
- Telework Guidance -
NEC is advising that computer quarantines will continue as usual for systems that do not receive the regular updates. Teleworking individuals should connect through a VPN for at least 4 hours a day to ensure computers receive required patches. This can be completed during both duty or non-duty hours.
- Tax Assistance -
Some updated information is available from the Fort Drum Legal Assistance Office for those still needing to file their 2019 taxes. The deadline for filing has been extended to July 15 and there are some new ways you can get assistance online during this crisis. For more information, visit our Tax Advisory Program page here: https://bit.ly/2VlhERl
- Scam Alert -
There have been recent reports of scammers calling members of the Fort Drum community and claiming to be representatives from the federal government reaching out to provide federal relief funds. Soldiers should be vigilant about protecting themselves and their Family members from scams during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Federal Government will never call you seeking information about your bank account or other financial matters and you should never provide that information over the phone. Anyone who believes they are the victim of a scam or predatory action should contact the Office of the New York Attorney General to file a complaint. More information: https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2020/ag-james-warns-north-country-about-coronavirus-scams. Soldiers and Family members with questions and/or concerns may also contact the Fort Drum Legal Assistance Office at 315-772-5261.
- Travel Guidance -
A New York state executive order, "New York State on PAUSE," directs all non-essential businesses statewide to close all in-office personnel functions at 8PM on Sunday, 22 March. There are several "essential businesses or entities" that are exempt from closure. For the purposes of this order, Defense and National Security-related operations supporting the U.S. Government and contractors to the U.S. Government are specifically excluded from the New York State executive order. Accordingly, all DoD personnel and DoD contractor personnel should continue to report for duty as directed by their supervisor. If DoD personnel encounter local law enforcement during such travel, DoD personnel should identify themselves using Common Access Cards and explain the nature of their work and travel in support of DoD.
