CHAIRMAN’S PRESS RELEASE

TESTING NUMBERS REMAIN STABLE

On Monday, Columbia County Department of Health Director Jack Mabb reported that 30,960 county residents have been tested for COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic in March. Of that number, 13,397 are nonduplicate tests.

“One way of looking at these numbers is that one in five county residents have been tested,” noted Director Mabb, who noted that a big part of the duplicate tests is nursing home staff who are still being tested weekly and individuals he describes as the worried well who test repeatedly.

In March, when the DOH’s ability to test was severely limited by the lack of test kits, 326 non-duplicate tests were administered; in April, when the county’s first batch of kits arrived, 892.

In May, 2,278; June, 2,914; July, 3,147; August, 3,050; and through September 17, 1,390.

“We wanted to take a look at the breakdown of tests done each month to see if there has been a drop off in testing, which might explain why we had such a low incidence rate. But there was no drop off and the logical conclusion is that we are low in positives because people continue to do the right things,” said Director Mabb.

As of today, reported Mabb, 553 individuals in-county have tested positive for the virus.

Added county Emergency Management Director David W. Harrison, Jr., “While participating in virtual conferences and meetings recently, it’s become apparent that most experts believe — for various reasons — there will be a surge in the spread of COVID-19 during the autumn and winter months. There are some experts who believe that the surge has already started in some areas, but may not be as bad in those states, including New York, that are diligent in practicing the basic precautions such as social distancing, hand washing, and mask wearing. They also feel that the medical community has learned how to better treat those who have the virus.”

“No matter what your belief, it’s clear that COVID-19 has, at the very least, played a role in the deaths of 200,000 people in the United State since it came here 203 days ago. Overall this averages out to almost 1,000 deaths a day since its onset. Please continue to do your part in preparing for a possible COVID-19 surge and practice the basics precautions as most activities become more confined and move inside for the fall/winter months,” said Harrison.

CORONAVIRUS TESTING CLINICS TOMORROW, NEXT TUESDAY

Columbia County DOH Director Jack Mabb has announced future COVID-19 testing clinics for Tuesdays,  September 22 and 29. The testing will be conducted from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the sidewalk in front of the John L. Edwards Primary School in Hudson. Pre-registration will not be necessary for the walkup clinics. Masks are required. Bring a form of identification and insurance information.

NEW DONATION RECEIVED

Columbia County has a new monetary donation toward the purchase of coronavirus testing kits, county Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell said Monday. The latest donation, in the amount of $200, was received from Dorothy Dooren of New Lebanon. The total of county resident donations to date now stands at $42,601. “We thank her for her contribution to the testing effort. The contributions of county residents are heartening as we continue our fight against the coronavirus,” said Chairman Murell.

HAND SANITIZER DISTRIBUTION DISCONTINUED

As of Wednesday, September 16, New York State Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services (NYS DHSES) announced it has discontinued the distribution of free hand sanitizer to local municipalities, according to county Emergency Management Director David W. Harrison, Jr. Since March of this year, Columbia County Emergency Management has worked with NYS DHSES to either process delivery of, or directly distribute, approximately 6,592 one gallon bottles and 36,723 spray bottles of free hand sanitizer within our County

UPCOMING COUNTY DOH FLU CLINIC SCHEDULE

The Columbia County Health Department has announced a series of upcoming seasonal flu vaccine drive-thru clinics for all Columbia County residents two years old and up. Pre-registration is required for the date you wish to be vaccinated – failure to register ahead of time will mean you cannot be vaccinated on that date. Each individual must complete a registration form, and photo ID is required for each adult.

If you are sick with any symptoms associated with the flu or COVID-19 illness (fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, chills, new loss of taste or smell, or extreme headache), do not go to the drive thru clinic. Instead, call your primary care physician or the DOH at 518-828-3358 for further guidance.

Clinic registration can be completed by visiting the DOH website at www.columbiacountynyhealth.com and clicking on the link for the specific clinic you wish to attend. Those with internet access are advised to call the registration line at 518-828-3358 ext. 1310. Leave your name and phone number and a DOH staff member will contact you to complete your registration.

The DOH accepts the following insurance plans: Blue Shield of North East New York, CDPHP, Fidelis, Medicare Part B, MVP, Medicaid, and United Health Care. Other senior plans may be billed, including some Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. If you are uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for a lower fee or no fee for the flu vaccine. All others are expected to pay a fee of $42 for the flu vaccine, with the exact cash amount or checks accepted. Debit or credit cards are not accepted.

The drive-thru clinic schedule is as follows:

 Wednesday, September 23, 9-11 a.m., Roe Joe Library, Route 22, Hillsdale.

 Wednesday, September 30, 9-11 a.m., Columbia County Fairgrounds, Chatham.

 Saturday, October 3, 9 a.m. – 12 noon, Columbia-Greene Community College upper parking lot, Hudson.

 Thursday, October 8, 9-11 a.m., Palatine Park, Germantown.

 Saturday, October 17, 9-11 a.m., Ichabod Crane Central School, Valatie,

 Thursday, October 22, 10 a.m. – 12 noon, New Lebanon Town Hall, New Lebanon.

The flu vaccine will also be offered by appointment only at the regularly scheduled immunization clinic every Tuesday from 1-3:30 p.m. at the county DOH building located at 325 Columbia Street, Hudson. An evening immunization clinic is also available on the third Tuesday of each month from 4-6 p.m. All clinics are by appointment only. The flu vaccine is the best protection we have from the flu and its complication, and has become even more critical in the time of COVID-19. Talk to your doctor before getting the flu shot if you have ever had a serious allergic reaction to eggs or a previous flu shot, or have a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

DONATION INFORMATION

Masks: Those wishing to donate cloth masks to the county stockpile may contact the county Emergency Management office at 518-828-1212 or [email protected]. Or Supervisor Rob Lagonia at [email protected]

Monetary: Monetary donations intended for the purchase of coronavirus testing kits and much-needed equipment for emergency responders, medical personnel, and others on the front lines of the coronavirus fight are advised to send a check in care of Columbia County, with coronavirus noted in the memo field. The check can be sent to the Columbia County Controller’s Office, 401 State Street, Hudson, NY 12534. All money received is being placed in a dedicated account.

PPE: Those wishing to make donations of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as N95 masks, face shields, and gowns, are advised to contact the Emergency Management Office at 518-828-1212. If no one answers, leave a message and someone will return the call.

Food: Donations should be directed to the county Office for the Aging (518-828-4258) and local food pantries.

DISCLAIMER It is the county’s intention to issue accurate information regarding the coronavirus situation under conditions that can change by the minute. For the most up-to-date, accurate information, visit the County Department of Health’s website at https://www.columbiacountynyhealth.com/home/coronavirus-covid-19 or their Facebook page @: https://www.facebook.com/Columbia-County-Department-of-Health-469399129790791/. The state’s coronavirus website, with up-to-the-minute information, can be located at https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home.