How I Recovered From COVID-19 at Home With the Help of a New App: A Patient Story

May 19, 2020 | COVID-19, Patient Stories, Your Health

Roberto Rapalo, a patient at Mount Sinai, at home with his family

Should I go to the hospital or stay at home? This is one of the first questions that people who think they have COVID-19 wrestle with. Now, thanks to a remote monitoring platform from Mount Sinai Health System called Precision Recovery, patients can have their symptoms monitored by a provider daily, and know that their care will be escalated if necessary.

Once a patient signs up, a member of the Precision Recovery team at Mount Sinai contacts the person for an online video chat. The patient then downloads a daily symptom tracking app onto any smart device which monitors symptoms of the virus, such as body temperature, cough, breathing levels, and body aches. A provider checks in with the patient weekly through video chat. But if the symptoms get worse, the patient is contacted by a provider to discuss the new or worse symptoms and determine if increased monitoring or an emergency room visit is needed.

Read more about Precision Recovery

David F. Putrino, PhD, Director of Rehabilitation Innovation for the Mount Sinai Health System, and Christopher Kellner, MD, a cerebrovascular neurosurgeon with the Mount Sinai Health System, developed Precision Recovery, an innovative system to monitor patients with COVID-19 symptoms remotely so they can stay home and rapidly respond to their needs when necessary. Click here to read a Q&A, in which they describe how this novel platform can help patients and hospitals in New York and throughout the United States.

“Precision Recovery worked great for me. COVID-19 was a battle—I had it for 14 days and each day was like a new round in a boxing match. Between Day 7 and 12, I was so weak it was difficult to think properly,” says Roberto Rapalo, a patient at Mount Sinai who used the new system. “I was struggling with the decision of whether to go to the hospital or not. It was scary, but the fact that my data was being monitored every day gave me confidence. Dr. Kellner was watching my symptoms progress, and I trusted the advice he gave me. He helped me get through this. In my opinion, you can’t get through COVID-19 by yourself.”

Precision Recovery was developed by David F. Putrino, PhD, Director of Rehabilitation Innovation for the Mount Sinai Health System, and Christopher Kellner, MD, a cerebrovascular neurosurgeon with the Mount Sinai Health System.

Dr. Kellner said the system allows physicians to closely monitor patients, which is important because the disease can take a different course for every one of them.

“Sometimes people are doing pretty well for a week or ten days, and they may even to start to feel better. But then they start feeling much worse for a day or two after that. That was the case with Rob,” he says. “He began having a hard time breathing and had fever again. So we initiated a video chat with him, and I was able to assess his condition. I saw that he was short of breath, but we talked through the criteria for coming to the hospital. That gave him the confidence that even though he was feeling worse, he would be able to ride it out at home. After a day of bad symptoms, he started to feel better, and he never had to come into the hospital.”

Mr. Rapalo said the system helped him track his symptoms and develop trust in his doctors.

“Every day I input my blood pressure, my temperature, my heart rate, oxygen saturation, as well as whether I had shortness of breath, chest pains, or other symptoms. And that helped me trust that the doctor really did understand what I was going through,” he says. “In the end, I really needed that pep talk. With any other disease I’ve had, once you start to feel better, that’s it. But COVID-19 is longer than any other disease I’ve had. And when I got worse after starting to feel better, that surprised me. So my conversation with Dr. Kellner made me feel that he had my back and was supporting me.”

What he experienced is typical for many COVID-19 patients, according to Dr. Kellner.

“Rob is a perfect example of what most people are going through with this disease. It’s unpredictable how it will go for each individual person. We’re still trying to figure that out as a medical profession, and sometimes there’s mixed messages,” says Dr. Kellner. “Someone might go to an urgent care center and be sent home with the instructions, if your symptoms get worse, contact your provider or call 911. If patients have this roller-coaster ride of symptoms, they need repeat assessments, and that’s what Precision Recovery provides.”

The goal of the system is to keep people out of the hospital who don’t need to go, and give people at home the assurance that they are being monitored effectively. Another goal is to catch people at home whose symptoms worsen and require hospitalization.

“That has happened—we saw that they met the criteria for being hospitalized, so we called an ambulance and contacted the emergency room to let them know that a COVID-19 patient was coming in,” says Dr. Kellner.

It’s important to note that this is a daily data entry by the patient, so doctors can’t necessarily react to an emergency. Patients may still need to call 911 in an emergency. Or they may need an urgent care visit or a virtual visit like Mount Sinai NOW.  Precision Recovery fills a role somewhere in between.

Mr. Rapalo said he began feeling better after about two weeks with the illness.

“I turned a corner around Day 13 and now I feel so much better. My cough has decreased and I’m improving every single day,” he says. “I’m still entering my data every day, so that if I do get worse, I’ve got a safety net. I have an appointment with the physical therapist of the Precision Recovery program, and I’m looking forward to getting tips on how to improve my breathing and the tightness in my chest.”

He added, “The main benefit of the Precision Recovery program is that you have people standing by your side, fighting with you. And that helps with your mental side of your recovery, and helps you make the right choices for your care. I am looking forward to being 100 percent, and I believe the program is getting me there.”

To enroll in Precision Recovery, text “Precision Recovery” to 332-213-9130.

Learn more about Precision Recovery
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Precision Recovery: New App Helps Patients by Monitoring COVID-19 Symptoms Remotely So They Can Stay Home

May 19, 2020 | COVID-19, Your Health

With hospital systems responding to unprecedented demand, and people with possible COVID-19 symptoms often unsure of where to get care, two Mount Sinai physicians saw an opportunity for technology to come to the rescue.

David F. Putrino, PhD, Director of Rehabilitation Innovation for the Mount Sinai Health System, and Christopher Kellner, MD, a cerebrovascular neurosurgeon with the Mount Sinai Health System, developed Precision Recovery, an innovative system to monitor patients with COVID-19 symptoms remotely so they can stay home and rapidly respond to their needs when necessary. In this Q&A, they describe how this novel platform can help patients and hospitals in New York and throughout the United States.

What is Precision Recovery?

Precision Recovery is a digital platform that goes a step beyond the typical telehealth scenario because it monitors the patient’s symptoms daily, enables us to get patients the right care for their situation, and escalate it when appropriate. Anybody in the country can sign up, just by texting the words “Precision Recovery” to 332-213-9130. We onboard them with a video chat and then they download an app on any smart device so that we can monitor their symptoms every day. The platform tracks the patient’s symptoms—whether it be fever, headaches, or respiratory symptoms—and alerts us to contact the patient if their symptoms are worsening.

We initially developed Precision Recovery as a program to help individuals recovering from stroke who needed close daily monitoring. In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, we quickly adapted the program to provide day-by-day monitoring of individuals who are showing signs of COVID-19 but were unsure whether they should go to the emergency room or just ride it out at home.

We saw that people would go to the emergency room and one of several things might happen: they may or may not be tested, or no testing might be available, and many times they would be told that they were not sick enough to be admitted. And that might be the end of their care. If they get sicker, they don’t know whether they should go back to the emergency room or call a doctor, or just stay home.

There’s a lot of fear and anxiety around COVID-19. How does Precision Recovery provide a sense of security?

We want people to think of us as a safety net. We’re here to answer any concerns people have about their symptoms. Once a patient signs up, a provider from the Precision Recovery team will contact the person for an online video chat. As part of the onboarding, the patient downloads a daily symptom tracking app, MyCap, and enters their symptoms and vital data. The team is then able to track symptoms of the virus, such as body temperature, cough, breathing levels, and body aches. There will be a weekly video chat to check in on the patient through Zoom, but if we see symptoms get worse, we will get in touch with the patient. If necessary, we can get them an ambulance and get them to the right hospital. And we can do that for anybody in the country.

Is this available to other health systems?

Currently, this is only implemented at Mount Sinai but there are a numerous health care systems with whom we are collaborating to roll this out shortly in their hospitals.

Read about a patient who used Precision Recovery
Learn more about Precision Recovery
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Saving Lives, One Mask at a Time

Updated on Nov 14, 2025 | COVID-19, Engagement, Featured, School

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai student Tyler McChane (MS3) delivered mask kits to the New York Common Pantry in East Harlem.

Aishwarya Raja, a rising fourth-year medical student at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, looked at the East Harlem community that surrounds Mount Sinai and knew she had to help her neighbors as the COVID-19 pandemic surged in New York City. She understood they often lacked the most basic health care necessities, and with a sizable number of them considered essential workers and unable to stay at home, she wanted them to remain safe. She was unsure they would even have access to one fundamental item needed to confront the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19—protective masks.

Then, she had an idea and founded Mask Transit, an initiative dedicated to delivering masks and educational materials to vulnerable neighbors, an effort to help slow the spread of COVID-19. She mobilized 50 medical students across 15 institutions in mid-April, and they began sourcing and delivering masks and creating educational materials.

The project was launched under the guidance of Yasmin S. Meah, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, and Medical Education. Dr. Meah is the Program Director and Chief Medical Attending of the East Harlem Health Outreach Partnership (EHHOP), Mount Sinai’s student-run, physician-supervised clinic, which provides free primary, preventive, and mental health care to uninsured adults.

“These students have done an amazing job of serving the most vulnerable members in the community,” says Dr. Meah. “Many of them are essential workers, isolated from services, with low health literacy, so getting masks and information into their hands can be lifesaving.”

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai student Matthew Eveleth (SY) put together mask kits that were mailed and delivered to more than 250 EHHOP (East Harlem Health Outreach Partnership) households.

Reema Navalurkar (MS3), and Parth Trivedi (SY), education co-chairs, developed educational materials to explain why and how to wear a mask, and how to clean it, along with information about COVID-19. Materials are available in Spanish, French, Mandarin, and Arabic, in addition to English. Under the leadership of Tyler McChane (MS3), the team sourced face masks and fabric. They found local seamstresses willing to donate their time to sew masks, and they partnered with grass roots organizations to help distribute them. The team delivered mask kits, consisting of masks and information, to distribution points and to individuals. They created a website, raised funds for their initiative, and promoted the program throughout the community and through social media.

To date, Mask Transit has distributed more than 6,000 mask kits with a goal of distributing 100,000 by mid-June. In addition to partnering with EHHOP, they also work with New York Common Pantry and Little Sisters of the Assumption Family Health Services, an organization that helps families meet basic needs, and they recently broadened their reach to West Bronx. Mask Transit has also established branches in Boston, where they are partnering with Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program, and in New Haven, where they are partnering with the HAVEN clinic, Yale School of Medicine’s student-run free clinic. Their new goal is to branch out to all five boroughs in New York City and to other cities across the United States.

Aishwarya Raja, a rising fourth-year medical student at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, oversees the Mask Transit initiative that she founded in April 2020.

“What has been most rewarding is that we have been able to harness the power of individuals to make a difference,” says Ms. Raja. “Everyone—students, businesses, seamstresses, and community organizations—has stepped up. They are great examples of how kind, generous, and resilient our community members can be in the city’s time of need.”

Anyone interested in donating masks or mask materials can click here. To find out more information about the organization, visit masktransit.org or contact them at contact@masktransit.org.

Read more stories about Mount Sinai and COVID-19
Learn more about Mask Transit

Overwhelming Antibody Response to COVID-19 is an Encouraging Sign, Researchers Say

May 13, 2020 | COVID-19, Featured, Research

Ania Wajnberg, MD, left, with Nurse Manager, Patricia Lazio, RN.

More than 99 percent of individuals who fully recovered from COVID-19 and had mild to moderate symptoms that did not require hospitalization went on to develop antibodies, according to a new study by researchers at the Mount Sinai Health System. The team looked at 1,343 people who either had confirmed cases of the disease or were suspected to have the disease between March 26 and April 10, 2020.

The study also showed that these IgG antibodies, or Immunoglobulin G—which appear after an acute infection and have the potential to confer immunity and protection against reinfection—were optimal for use in testing three to four weeks after the onset of COVID-19 and two weeks after the disease resolved.

“While we don’t know for certain whether having antibodies confers immunity at this point, or how long immunity would last, we are very encouraged that even those people who had mild cases of the disease did produce antibodies,” says the study’s first author, Ania Wajnberg, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine (General Internal Medicine) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

The encouraging findings support the potential of antibody-based blood tests to help understand the spread of COVID-19, the disease produced by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The testing would provide lawmakers with a better understanding of how many people may possibly be immune and might be able to safely return to work as economies begin to reopen. At this time, there remains limited data worldwide on the development of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, particularly the formation of IgG.

Mount Sinai has tested more than 22,000 individuals for antibodies since late March, when it became one of the first institutions in the world to begin treating COVID-19 patients with antibody-rich plasma from individuals who recovered from the disease. Mount Sinai identified individuals who had high titers, a measure of the concentration of antibodies, and referred them to the New York Blood Center, where they donated their plasma. As of May 11, more than 350 patients had received this convalescent plasma therapy through Mount Sinai, which is currently compiling data on the program.

The study also found that 19 percent of those who had recovered from COVID-19 still had evidence of the virus after receiving a nasopharyngeal swab of the back of their nose and throat. This has raised some concerns among patients who thought they may have been reinfected.

“More evidence is showing that people probably don’t need to be stressed about these positive swabs,” says Dr. Wajnberg. “We don’t know for certain why almost 20 percent of people had evidence of the virus weeks out from their symptoms. It is possible there’s some shedding of the virus still going on, but it is also possible that the test is picking up dead viral fragments. The scientific community is looking into this because it has major implications as to whether you need a negative swab to be cleared from this disease, which more people are thinking you don’t.”

One of the study’s authors, Florian Krammer, PhD, Professor of Microbiology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, developed the antibody test that Mount Sinai uses. He says, “If you have higher titers you start to see neutralization. I can’t tell you that having a certain level of titers is protective against the virus, but we know from the vast majority of viral infections that neutralizing antibodies do protect you from getting infected. There are four human coronaviruses that give you a common cold, and in studies of those you get antibodies for one to three years and are protected during that time. In some cases you’re protected from getting reinfected, in other cases you might get a little infected but not have symptoms, and in other cases you may have symptoms but they’re much milder.”

In related news, the Mount Sinai Health System and California-based Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc. recently agreed to jointly develop antibody products that would act as a “protective shield” against SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection, potentially blocking and neutralizing the activity of the virus in at-risk populations, as well as recently exposed individuals.

Read more stories about Mount Sinai and COVID-19

How a Mount Sinai Program Is Helping Survivors of Sexual Assault and Intimate Partner Violence

May 13, 2020 | COVID-19, Featured, Public Health

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, a very different health crisis is continuing unabated—sexual assault and intimate partner violence (IPV). An experienced and compassionate team at Mount Sinai is there to help.

“It’s been a little bit challenging, but we do not want to let that stop us from providing very critical services,” says Angela Fernandez, Assistant Director at the Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention (SAVI) Program, a team that includes physicians, social workers, and advocates. “We’re still operational.”

Founded in 1984, SAVI has offered free services and support to survivors in New York City for more than thirty years. Its most visible program trains 100 people a year to provide emotional first aid and bedside advocacy to survivors in emergency rooms throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. Volunteers undergo a 40-hour New York State Department of Health training and—following medical, background, and health screenings—commit to bimonthly, six-hour shifts in which they are on-call to be deployed when a participating emergency department has identified an instance of sexual assault or intimate partner violence. The volunteers are equipped to facilitate communication with law enforcement, counsel survivors on their rights, and help them identify and acquire basic needs like shelter. Ms. Fernandez sees advocates as a temporary best friend who can help survivors to navigate any uncertainty faced while in the emergency room.

This intimate, peer-to-peer service has been complicated by COVID-19, since in an abundance of caution, emergency rooms are barring most visitors. Fortunately, the Department of Health has mandated that all survivors are entitled to an advocate. SAVI began offering phone advocacy in mid-March to continue to provide this essential service while adhering to safety measures. Through phone advocacy, survivors can speak with an advocate—via a hospital line or their own mobile phone—to receive support, advice, and assistance.

“Our volunteers are still there. We are still responding to the need, albeit from a distance,” says Ms. Fernandez.

Fewer Domestic Violence Calls, but Not Necessarily Fewer Assaults

In early April, weeks after the “New York State Pause” closed most businesses and imposed social distancing, the New York Police Department released statistics showing a downward trajectory in crimes. For the month of March, domestic violence calls were down 15.3 percent.

“Sexual violence and intimate-partner violence was already grossly under-reported,” says Ms. Fernandez, who cautions that this downward trend does not mean that fewer assaults are being committed. “The fact that we are not seeing as many people making a police report is not surprising, because it’s already something that not a lot of people do.”

Additionally, survivors are not immune to troubling news reports about the pandemic. For a survivor, fear of contracting the virus when going to an emergency room may outweigh the need to seek help. This is particularly relevant for IPV survivors who, Ms. Fernandez notes, often do not seek medical care for the abuse itself but from underlying health conditions associated with abuse and trauma.

“It is in the middle of treating someone for a chronic stomach issue, an asthma attack, or a headache that will not go away in which it is disclosed that abuse is happening at home,” she says. “If a survivor knows that these symptoms cannot possibly be the virus, they may think—my issue isn’t serious enough.”

In fact, abusers may use the stay-at-home order, as well as the economic crisis caused by COVID-19, to further isolate survivors, forcing them to determine whether their home life is more or less threatening than potential exposure to the virus.

“It’s coming down to basic needs for many survivors, and an abusive person can exploit the situation, especially if they have food, shelter, and are even willing to pay someone’s phone bill,” says Ms. Fernandez.

SAVI employs licensed clinical social workers and mental health counselors who provide confidential, trauma-informed therapy to survivors who have left abusive situations as well as those currently in abusive situations. This service has largely shifted to HIPAA compliant virtual sessions—completed via phone or videoconferencing—although in-person sessions are available for emergency, high-risk cases.

“For some, the discussion is not about the abuse, it’s about survival. So many people have had to return to abusive situations, because they didn’t have anywhere else to go. Survivors are having to make really, really hard choices.”

Programs like SAVI hope to make these choices less daunting. Through phone advocacy, virtual counseling sessions, and ad-hoc in-person meetings, survivors can receive advice, assistance, and support from an experienced team dedicated to their physical and emotional safety.

“Survivors are very resilient,” says Ms. Fernandez. “This might not be the best time to make big decisions—like leaving an abuser. We understand that survivors know their situation best, and we are there for them every step of the way.”

If you or a loved one needs advice, assistance, or support regarding sexual assault or intimate partner violence; the Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention (SAVI) Program at Mount Sinai is available to help. For more information, visit the SAVI website or call 212-423-2140. 

Learn more about SAVI

COVID-19 and Pregnancy: Answers to Your Questions

May 12, 2020 | COVID-19, OB/GYN, Your Health

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact all facets of life, many have raised questions about the virus’ effect on pregnancy and delivery. Brian Wagner, MD, Medical Director of Labor and Delivery at Mount Sinai West, gives advice to expectant parents and those trying to conceive, and explains how Mount Sinai is creating a safe birthing place for mother, baby, and the extended care team.

Is it safe to get pregnant during the COVID-19 pandemic?

It is unclear whether couples should delay attempts to get pregnant. If you become pregnant now and become sick with the coronavirus, infection would most likely happen during the early part of your pregnancy. Unfortunately, we have limited research on what this could mean, and important questions about an increase in miscarriages or birth defects remain unanswered. Current data suggests that pregnant women are not at any increased risk when compared to non-pregnant individuals. We would recommend you have a conversation with your OB/GYN about your personal medical and obstetric history to help decide if this is the best time to conceive.

How does having COVID-19 complicate pregnancy?

As this viral infection is new, data is limited and just emerging. However, the limited data that exists is reassuring as it indicates that there is no increase in miscarriage or birth defects. With severe disease, there appears to be an increased risk of preterm birth; however, many of these babies were delivered to improve maternal outcomes and were not the result of preterm labor. Additionally, there is no strong evidence that the virus can pass from mom to baby. More information on how COVID-19 may affect pregnancy will emerge as more women deliver.

Are COVID-19 symptoms more severe in pregnant women? Are the symptoms different? Are pregnant women more at risk of contracting COVID-19?

In general, respiratory infections, like the flu, have been thought to be more severe in pregnant women. However, current data suggests the symptoms of COVID-19 appear to be the same as in the non-pregnant population. Symptoms tend to appear between 2 to 14 days from exposure and the most common symptoms appear to be cough, shortness of breath, and fever. In addition, pregnant women also appear to have the same risk for disease severity as non-pregnant individuals. The majority of pregnant women have mild symptoms and recover completely.

Pregnancy itself does not seem to increase the risk of infection or severe reaction to the virus. Pregnant women who have conditions such as diabetes and hypertension may be at increased risk for severe illness, but at the same level as the general population with those conditions.

Are obstetrics appointments being spaced further apart and/or being done via telemedicine appointments?

COVID-19 has necessitated a number of changes in the practice of medicine, in obstetrics and prenatal care. This has included spacing out appointments and grouping components of prenatal care together, including vaccinations and diabetes screening, and utilizing telehealth. As a result, a number of visits are being performed through videoconferencing and telephone. Patients are being asked to self-monitor with blood pressure cuffs and fetal heart rate monitors. This ensures that prenatal care continues to offer all the benefits while reducing the risk of exposure that comes with being out in the community. Of course, some elements of care will continue to require a face-to-face visit, including ultrasound examinations of the fetus.

How do pregnant women stay healthy during this time?

It is recommended that pregnant women take the same precautions as the general public to reduce their risk of COVID-19 infection. We know that the virus spreads from person to person through a number of methods, including droplets created when someone sneezes or coughs, close personal contact, and touching one’s eyes, nose, or mouth before washing one’s hands.

Steps that can help reduce your risk of infection include:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or clean your hands with hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol
  • Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, and mouth
  • Avoid people who are sick, and maintain a safe distance of six feet from other people
  • Wear a face cover when leaving your house or apartment

In addition, general tips to stay healthy in pregnancy include eating a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise and plenty of rest.

Is it safe to give birth in a hospital during the pandemic? What is Mount Sinai doing to keep it safe for women to give birth during this time?

A hospital or certified birth center is the safest place to have your baby. Even the most uncomplicated pregnancies can develop problems or complications with little warning during labor and delivery. Being in a hospital allows you and your baby to have access to all the necessary medical care if these problems arise.

Due to COVID-19, at Mount Sinai we are taking extra precautions to ensure that you, your newborn, and your care team are safe and well. This includes extra cleaning and disinfection protocols, and wearing masks at all times and personal protective equipment as necessary. To enhance safety, you and your support person will be required to wear personal protective equipment—including a mask, gloves, and gown. The Mount Sinai Health System is screening all pregnant patients and their support partners for fever and symptoms of COVID-19 prior to admission since we know some people can have the virus yet be asymptomatic. All admitted patients and their support partners also will be tested for COVID-19. This ensures all the correct protective measures can be in place as needed to protect yourself and your newborn.

How Mount Sinai is Keeping Patients Safe
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