Friday, August 26, 2022

Chairman’s press release

COVID-19 NUMBERS HOLDING STEADY

COVID-19 cases

“Positive COVID-19 cases held steady for another week, with 97 reported,” Columbia County Department of Health Director Jack Mabb said this morning.

“The number of people hospitalized reached a summer high of 22, but only one is in the ICU. The county has recorded another death.”

The County Department of Health held its second Jynneos monkeypox vaccine clinic Thursday, bringing in 81 for the vaccine over the two-hour event.

“We had a good turn out,” said Director Mabb, adding that staff, as they were giving the shots, asked people how they found out about the clinic and most said it was from word of mouth. “We’re finding that those folks who want the shot have a good network they can tap into.”

Another Jynneos monkeypox clinic will be held next Thursday, September 1, but will be held in the PAC building at Columbia-Greene Community College.

As of Monday, per the CDC, Columbia County’s rate of new COVID-19 cases continued in the low risk category. On Thursday, the CDC-reported current average of new daily cases per 100,000 of population stood at 21.9. The positive test rate is 16.9 percent.

County DOH officials note that the CDC has released updated streamlined COVID-19 guidance, which can be viewed at https://www.cdc.gov

Although New York State has lifted the mandate for mask wearing while inside a business, local health care officials continue to encourage the wearing of masks while indoors, particularly for those with health problems.

Additional information on daily COVID-19 cases and more can be found on the Columbia County Department of Health’s website at https://www.columbiacountynyhealth.com

County Fair COVID-19 vax clinic

The New York State Department of Health, in conjunction with the county DOH, will be conducting a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the upcoming Columbia County Fair in Chatham. They will be set up behind the grandstand on Saturday, September 3, and Sunday, September 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. All COVID-19 vaccines will be offered.

 County vaccination rates

As of August 20, the Columbia County Department of Health had administered 11,291 first doses of the COVID19 vaccine. Second doses now number 9,569. The vaccine administered is Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson. Note: J&J – a one dose vaccine – is added as a first shot. Third shots (boosters) of Moderna or Pfizer now number 4,132. Fourth shots (boosters) of Moderna or Pfizer now number 707. Johnson & Johnson boosters number 65. Pediatric first shots number 661, with 627 second shots and 27 boosters. The total number of Columbia County residents by all vaccine providers, as shown on the NYS COVID-19 vaccine tracker website: 45,850 have received at least one dose, or 76.5 percent of the county’s 59,916 population.

Student testing, home testing and affirmation reports

The DOH continues to provide testing for students and staff of Columbia County schools who need a negative test to return to school. This will be by appointment only at the DOH Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 12:45-3:30 p.m. Parents may contact (518) 828-3358 X1251 to schedule these appointments when needed. This testing will still only be for staff/students of Columbia County schools who need a negative COVID test to return to school. Also available on the county DOH website is information on filing home testing reports as well as affirmation letters of quarantine and/or isolation that may be required by employers.

Upcoming DOH vaccination clinics

Director Mabb has issued a reminder that the county DOH continues to offer vaccine clinics at Columbia-Greene Community College on Thursdays from 3-5:30 p.m. throughout the month of September. All vaccines are available on a walk-in basis. For additional information, contact the county DOH at 518-828-3358.

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 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. Every Friday afternoon, Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell will issue a press release on the coronavirus situation. The releases can be found on the Columbia County website and the Facebook pages of the Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Health, and the Emergency Management Offic