COVID-19 Information for Patients

If you have been newly diagnosed, or are experiencing symptoms associated with cancer, we urge you to contact us immediately to request an appointment or set up a virtual visit. Roswell Park is a safe place to receive your care.

Important things to know before your next visit to Roswell Park:

Based on sustained low rates of community spread of COVID-19, masking is optional in all areas of Roswell Park. This applies to all Roswell Park locations. Masks will remain readily available for those who choose to wear them. Staff should continue to respect the wishes of others and wear masks if requested by patients under their care. 

• Please read our updated visitor policy for up to date visitor information.
• Per New York State guidelines that no longer require restrictive visitation rules, inpatient visitors are no longer required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This also waives the COVID-19 testing requirement for non-vaccinated visitors. All visitors must continue to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms or exposures.
• Patients who are experiencing symptoms of illness (fever, cough or difficulty breathing), please call your clinic/provider before your arrival at Roswell Park.
• Symptom screening upon entry - you will see signs asking you to self-screen for possible symptoms of COVID-19 or exposures to COVID-19.  If you have any of the listed symptoms,  please stop at the Information Desk for further instruction.
• Patients are also asked about any recent onset of illness (fever, cough or difficulty breathing).
• If you had a COVID-19 vaccine outside of Roswell Park, your care team needs to see your vaccination card. Please upload your vaccination card on your patient portal or bring your COVID-19 vaccination card with you to your next appointment. We must see a valid COVID-19 vaccination card in order to update your record
• If you had the vaccine at Roswell Park, you will find a digital copy of your vaccine card within your MyRoswell portal. Click on the “Health” tab at the top of your portal, then “Immunizations”
• VALET OPEN:  Our Parking & Transportation Team has developed thorough safety protocols that will allow this important patient service to return.
  • Hours for Valet Service are 5:45 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday (excluding holidays).
  • Wheelchair assistance will remain available on the third floor of the parking garage for those who do not wish to use valet.
  • Valet prices will remain $5 for patients ($1 more than reduced parking garage rate for patients) and $10 for visitors/non-patients.
  • Drop-off for other vehicles (i.e. taxi cabs and other transportation services) will remain at the front circle for the time being. This will be re-evaluated based on valet volume, which is expected to ramp up slowly.
• If you have an upcoming appointment that your care team feels should be offered as a virtual visit, they will be contacting you directly.
• If you are coming to the hospital, please be honest about your symptoms as you will not be denied treatment but necessary precautions are needed to be placed. Please call your clinic ahead of time.
• Try not to arrive extra early for your appointment in order to avoid unnecessary waiting time in our public reception areas. Arriving to your clinic 15 minutes prior to your appointment should give you enough time to check in. We have also created additional waiting areas to help you maintain a comfortable physical distance from others, if needed.

Virtual visits

Depending on your diagnosis, types of treatment, current disease status and other medical conditions, you may be eligible for a virtual visit with your Roswell Park provider. Instead of coming to campus for a traditional face-to-face appointment, you will connect by video chat.

You do not need to call to find out if you’re eligible for a virtual visit. If this is an option for you, your Roswell Park providers will let you know directly. 

Learn more

What you can do:

• Please be sure that your information on our patient portal is up to date. We will continue to communicate with our patients by email if the need arises.
• Follow Roswell Park on social media (Facebook, Twitter) for important reminders and updates.
• As with other infectious diseases, we recommend regular hand washing and use of proper infection prevention measures to avoid transmission of disease.
• As this is a rapidly evolving situation, we will post regular updates about the impact of the virus on our patient and visitor policies. Check the web pages before any upcoming appointments.
• If there are any specific questions regarding your visit to Roswell Park, call your clinic or 1-800-ROSWELL (1-800-767-9355).