Samaritan Announces Preparations for the Solar Eclipse

Published on: March 29, 2024

Watertown, NY – Samaritan’s focus continues to be the health and safety of its staff, patients, residents, and visitors, as we plan for the upcoming solar eclipse.  We have been meeting and planning with many local and state officials, as well as learning from similar regions that endured the 2017 total eclipse. Due to the anticipated influx of tourists surrounding the solar eclipse leading up to, and on April 8, 2024, Samaritan has proactively taken the following measures:

• All outpatient appointments at Samaritan Health locations in the city of Watertown and our LeRay location have been canceled for Monday, April 8, 2024, and all appointments will be rescheduled.  This includes all elective surgical and procedure cases, primary care, specialty services, cancer care, imaging, wound care, and more. 
  
• Patients who feel they need medical care by their primary care provider that day should call 315-755-3100 to speak with a triage nurse between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
  
• Walk-in lab and X-ray at the Health and Wellness Plaza, and Coffeen Street, are closed on Monday, April 8, 2024. These services will, however, be available at the Medical Center, 830 Washington Street, Watertown, on Monday, April 8, 2024, from 6 a.m. – Noon.
  
• Family Health Centers in Adams, Cape Vincent, and Clayton will operate on a half-day schedule, including the labs or X-rays at the locations that offer those services. 
  
• City of Watertown locations, including the Medical Center, Keep Home, and Summit Village, will have restricted parking available for staff, patients, visitors, and support persons who need to be on location that day.  Please expect to see parking attendants at our facilities. 
  
• Select inpatients and long term care residents will have the opportunity to experience the eclipse based on mobility and health. Samaritan’s Trauma Program has supplied approved safety glasses for their viewing leisure, and for our staff. 
  
• The Emergency Department remains open. Those in medical crisis should call 9-1-1. Those who are experiencing illness and are questioning whether help can wait may call our resource line at 315-755-3100 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The resource line staff members cannot provide a diagnosis over the phone but can provide helpful information to point the patient in the right direction.
  
• The proximity of the main hospital to the eclipse event in Thompson Park may pose traffic issues for anyone trying to get to the hospital. Visitors of inpatients or residents may want to consider a virtual or phone visit that day in case traffic is an issue and personal technology allows.  

Samaritan staff will receive staffing and operational communications through internal channels. Staff and the community should be aware that Samaritan reserves the right to modify these plans as the event draws nearer. Visit samaritanhealth.com for updates. 

Samaritan thanks everyone in advance for their patience as we navigate challenges we may all face with traffic and parking during this historic natural event. For information on safe viewing of the solar eclipse please visit https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/safety/. 

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