Columbia County Department of Health Update

As of 2:30 PM on April 23, 2020:

– Columbia County has had 13 community members that have passed away from COVID-19
-138 positive cases of COVID-19
-66 of the 138 cases have recovered from COVID-19
– 9 of the positive cases are hospitalized, 3 of those are in the ICU
-We have received 1,018 test results completed for Columbia County residents
-140 residents are under mandatory quarantine and 14 under precautionary quarantine

HEALTHCARE CONSORTIUM WORK CONTINUES THROUGH VIRUS CRISIS

“The Healthcare Consortium continues to operate all of its programs and services during the COVID-19 outbreak, albeit in a slightly different way,” Executive Director Claire Parde said Thursday.

The Healthcare Consortium serves residents of Columbia and Greene Counties, typically from its main office in Hudson, as well as numerous other locations throughout the Twin Counties, Parde said. Though all in-person visits are suspended during this time, all Consumer Assistance Programs continue to function by phone at 518- 822-8820.

“One program that can be of special help at this time is our Navigator Program,” Parde said. “Unfortunately, many people have found that their employment situation has abruptly changed, and they may have lost hours, wages, or employer-sponsored health insurance coverage as a result.

” Maintaining health insurance coverage and the access to care it provides has never been more important, she said. The Healthcare Consortium is the New York State Department of Health’s contractor to administer the Navigator Program in Columbia and Greene Counties, and as such, is the official resource for health insurance enrollment through the NY State of Health (NYSOH), NY’s online marketplace for health insurance.

The Consortium’s four full-time certified Navigators can assist individuals and families shop for and enroll in health plans, including the public health insurance programs, Medicaid, the Essential Plan, and Child Health Plus, and commercial self-pay programs, called Qualified Health Plans. Those whose circumstances have changed may very well find that they are newly eligible for financial assistance to obtain affordable coverage, Parde said. The NYSOH has extended the open enrollment period for the Qualified Health Plans to May 15. “Last but not least,” Parde said, “our Children and Adults Rural Transportation Service, or CARTS, continues to provide non-emergency medical transportation to Columbia County residents of any age or ability. As you can imagine, both patients and healthcare providers are deferring non-essential appointments to later times whenever they can, but we continue to transport dialysis patients to and from their essential appointments multiple times per week, as well as anyone else whose appointments cannot be delayed.” The CARTS Program can be reached by calling 518-822-8020.

SUMMER CAMPS

Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell said Thursday that he has planned a Friday meeting of local officials to look at the viability of summer camps this year. “We expect to issue guidance early next week on the advisability, or not, of conducting camps this summer,” said Murell. Matt B. Murell Chairman Kelly S. Baccaro Clerk Ronald L. Knott Deputy Chairman James J. Guzzi Deputy Chairman

JO-ANN FABRICS OFFERS CLOTH MASK KITS With the ongoing push to outfit county residents with face coverings, Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts is offering free mask kits, Greenport store manager Kayla Brink said Thursday. “The kits are enough to make 10-12 masks out of 100 percent cotton fabric. For those seeking larger quantities, prior authorization needs to be obtained by calling the store,” she said. Those seeking to acquire a kit are advised to order online for curbside pickup. The Greenport store telephone number is 518-828-2621. Current store hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Brink, who said the store has been distributing “at least 30 mask kits per day,” noted the store has been active with the program since March 28th. Overall, the Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts chain has since donated more than 70 million masks. Locally, Ocean State Job Lot stores are also offering free fabric for use in the construction of masks. Those interested in donating masks should contact Austerlitz Town Supervisor and county Health and Human Services Committee Chairman Rob Lagonia at [email protected].

INFORMATION FOR DONATIONS MONETARY: 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. Monetary donations intended for the purchase of 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.

REMINDER OF SERVICES AVAILABLE

Family Assistance Network: As part of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, Columbia County Emergency Management has asked leaders in the human services and spiritual areas of our community for help, Director of Emergency Management David W. Harrison, Jr., said Saturday. The individuals were asked to form a Family Assistance Network to provide information to assist county residents who may be dealing with someone close to them who passed away as a result of the COVID-19 virus. Information on where someone can reach out for help is posted on various websites, including the Columbia County website and Emergency Management Facebook page. Hotline For Elderly And Vulnerable : Columbia County Sheriff David Bartlett has established a hotline for the elderly and vulnerable in our county, including those with medical conditions or are disabled, who would welcome a deputy checking on their well-being on a daily basis. The number for the hotline is 518-828-0601, extension 1400.

SELF-ISOLATION

Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell continues to urge anyone migrating from outside Columbia County to self-quarantine for 14 days upon their arrival. “Everyone should consider they are a carrier of the coronavirus,” said Murell.

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/coronaviruscovid-19 or their Facebook page @: https://www.facebook.com/Columbia-County-Department-of-Health469399129790791/. The state’s coronavirus website, with up-to-the-minute information, can be located at https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home. The county will issue a daily press release on the coronavirus situation every afternoon at 4. 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 Office.