FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM JUNE 4, 2020 • HEALTH • THE QUEENS COURIER 35
health
Dramatic increase in overdose deaths
in Queens as opioid crisis continues
CityMD expands telehealth services amidst COVID-19
BY JASON COHEN
A New York City-based urgent care
company is now off ering new telehealth
services for its patients. To assist in staying
home and healthy during COVID-19,
CityMD physicians are now available virtually,
according to the company.
On May 7, Empire BlueCross Blue
Shield announced it is expanding access
to telehealth through collaboration with
CityMD. By using Empire’s LiveHealth
Online, members now have a direct connection
to CityMD doctors without having
to leave home.
“Access to healthcare has never been
more important and Empire is taking
the lead in providing our members
with increased access to board-certifi ed
doctors through this partnership with
CityMD,” said Alan Murray, president
of Empire BlueCross BlueShield. “Th e
health and safety of our members is our
top priority. Th rough LiveHealth Online,
our members can stay home and still get
the medical attention they need, exactly
when they need it in the palms of their
hands.”
Members can now use their smart
phone, tablet or computer to have a live
video visit with a New York metro areabased,
doctor from CityMD, to discuss
non-emergency health issues. CityMD
doctors are available to provide a diagnosis
and treatment and if needed, get a prescription
sent to a local pharmacy.
“Now more than ever, it’s important
for New Yorkers to be able to speak with
a doctor without leaving their home,”
said Rob Connor, president of Summit
CityMD.
Empire members can sign up for
LiveHealth Online at livehealthonline.
com or by downloading the app in the
App Store or Google Play.
Courtesy of LiveHealthOnline
Once members sign up, they can indicate
they are located in New York and
choose from some of CityMD’s physicians.
BY BILL PARRY
bparry@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
With the COVID-19 pandemic ravaging
so many communities in the borough,
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz is
reminding residents that there is another
serious public health threat facing this
generation.
Opioid addiction has led to an increase
in overdoses, and the numbers have not
subsided during the coronavirus outbreak.
Opioids are extremely deadly, particularly
when illicitly manufactured
with fentanyl and fentanyl analogs and
derivatives. In just five months, Queens
County has had a 56 percent increase
in overdose deaths in 2020, compared
to 2019.
In 2018, Queens registered 251 overdose
threats; in 2019, there were 265 overdoses.
Of those 265 deaths last year, 155
were related to fentanyl or fentanyl analogs
and derivatives. For 2020, there have
already been 86 suspected overdoses in
Queens.
“We are living through extraordinary
times,” Katz said. “We are fi ghting battles
no one would have expected, but still
we push forward with hope and unrelenting
resolve to succeed. Unfortunately, the
coronavirus pandemic has made the opioid
epidemic even worse for those fi ghting
for their sobriety.”
Katz added that there are avenues to
help those fi ghting to stay drug-free. Th e
New York State Offi ce of Alcoholism
and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS)
updated its outpatient treatment programs
to maximize the use of telehealth
services and additional guidelines on
in-person interactions.
In collaboration, both OASAS and the
city’s Department of Health have rolled
out a methadone delivery program for
patients with COVID-19.
Th ere are many opioid treatment
resources available across the borough
including Samaritan Daytop Village in
Jamaica at 718-657-6195, Elmcor Youth
& Adult Services in Corona at 718-651-
0096and J-CAPin Jamaica at 718-322-
2500.
Medical detox services are available
at Cornerstone of Medical
Arts in Fresh Meadows at 800-
233-9999, Flushing Hospital at
718-670-5000, and Phoenix
House Parkside in Long Island
City at 844-815-1508.
Other treatment resources are
available at the AIDS Center of
Queens County in Jamaica
at 718-896-2500 and the
Department of Health and
Hygiene Harm Reduction
Coalition at 212-213-6976.
Harm reduction services
are available at OASAS
at 1-877-8HOPENY,
Medication Addiction
Treatment in Far Rockaway
at 718-868-1400, and Narco
Freedom-Bridge Plaza in
Long Island City at 718-
786-3474. Photo by Mark Hallum
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