Both the Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in Lyons and East Orange and the Hunterdon County Veterans Services Office (VSO) continue to help and support all Hunterdon veterans despite the spread of the coronavirus across the state.

While VA hospitals continue to provide general medical treatment to veterans, patients are required to call and make an appointment prior to visiting. The hospitals in both Lyons and East Orange are spacing patient visits in response to COVID-19, according to a press release circulated by the county freeholders’ office.

The hospitals are also requesting veterans with symptoms of coronavirus — including a fever, cough or shortness of breath — to remain at home and seek medical care through their primary care provider. All patients, visitors and employees of the hospitals are being screened for coronavirus each time they enter the building, and various building entrances have been temporarily restricted.

Veterans can also receive medical care virtually using VA Telehealth, available Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition, they can refill prescriptions and provide updates to their health caregivers on their current health condition using MyHealtheVet, accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Susan Soloway, deputy director of the freeholder board and liaison to the Veterans Services Office, encouraged all veterans to use these digital resources in wake of the current public health emergency.

“Being cautious during this period when information is evolving on a daily basis is the best practice," Soloway said in the press release. "Keep yourself and those around you safe by staying home and only making essential trips. The virus can lead to very serious complications, such as pneumonia, which can be fatal.”

In addition to the VA hospitals, Richard Booth, VSO for Hunterdon County, is working remotely and answering veterans’ calls and emails during regular business hours. Booth can also arrange to meet with a veteran if paperwork needs to be signed in person, but proper social distancing regulations would be enacted.

Booth can be reached by phone at (908) 788-1361 or via email to rbooth@co.hunterdon.nj.us.

“It is important for our veterans to know that they are still able to receive treatment, apply for benefits and that both the VA hospitals and Hunterdon County’s VSO are providing the necessary services our veterans need at this critical time," Soloway added.

Veterans can learn more about the Department of Veterans Affairs’ response to the coronavirus pandemic online.

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Caroline Fassett may be reached at cfassett@njadvancemedia.com.