Friday, April 3, 2020

From: Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell

SHERIFF ANNOUNCES NEW HOTLINE

On Friday, Columbia County Sheriff David Bartlett announced he had established a new 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.

“Leave a message and someone will return your call,” said Bartlett. “A time frame, morning or afternoon, will be established for when you would like the deputy to come to your residence. When the deputy comes by, he or she will knock on the door, then retreat to a safe distance and wait for someone to signal that all is well inside.”

Also, the Sheriff said that those with questions regarding the proper disposal technique of rubber gloves are advised to visit “David Bartlett, Columbia County Sheriff” on Facebook. In a 90-second video, Bartlett explains the correct procedure.

“These are difficult times, as we are all aware,” said Bartlett. “I hope that county residents are able to take a moment or two in their day to keep in mind the positive things. Pick out something every day, whether it’s a cardinal at your bird feeder or a deer passing through your yard, and enjoy it. We will get through this.”

TESTING KITS

The Columbia County Department of Health and the Office of Emergency Management said Friday that they are currently in the process of vigorously researching coronavirus test kits in an effort to identify what will best serve the county’s needs.

In addition to seeking out the best price, said County Department of Health Director Jack Mabb, “We will not purchase any kits that have not been FDA approved.”

Earlier in the week, the County had received a $10,000 donation from Jack Shear of Spencertown dedicated to the purchase of test kits.

OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR UNINSURED

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the New York State Department of Health has extended open enrollment for the uninsured to May 15. The DOH has allowed for assisters to enroll individuals and their families via phone.

 Locally, the Healthcare Consortium is the official resource in Columbia and Greene counties for health insurance enrollment through state DOH. The Healthcare Consortium has on hand four full-time, certified navigators who can help individuals and families shop for and enroll in a health insurance program, including public health insurance programs such as Medicaid, the Essential Plan, and Child Health Plus, and commercial self-pay programs, called Qualified Health Plans. A Healthcare Consortium Navigator can be reached at 518-822-8820.

FRIDAY MEETING

Also Friday, Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell said he and several county officials met via conference call with County Supervisors, Superintendents of the six county school districts, and Columbia-Greene Community College President Carlee Drummer.

“It’s important that everyone remain updated and on the same page during this crisis,” said Murell. “Information is critical to help in the coronavirus fight.”

DONATIONS

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.

Nitrile gloves are considered suitable for medical use, while other types of gloves must explicitly state they are for medical use. Food donations should be directed to the county Office for the Aging 518-828-4258 and local pantries.

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.

“This is a critical component of our fight against the virus. We understand that people are coming here to escape the disease, but everyone should consider they are a carrier of the coronavirus,” said Murell.

“County residents must continue to be vigilant in practicing social distancing and personal hygiene, including frequent hand washing. Even though COVID-19 has begun moving through Columbia County, we are nowhere near the peak of people we expect will eventually be infected. These simple actions will help not only you from contracting it, but from spreading it to someone else, including a loved one.”

The state’s coronavirus website, with up-to-the-minute information, can be located at https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home.

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 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 Columbia County Board of Supervisors, Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Health, and the Emergency Management Office.

4/3/20 Columbia County Department of Health Update:

As of 3 pm, April 3, 2020, Columbia County has confirmed 58 positive cases of COVID-19. Two of the positive cases have passed away. Five of the positive cases are hospitalized, two of those are in the ICU. We have received 427 test results completed for Columbia County residents. There are 60 under mandatory quarantine and 22 under precautionary quarantine. There are 9 residents with suspected, not tested cases. Twenty-two Columbia County residents have recovered from COVID-19.

Breakdown of positive cases by towns: Ancram 2, Canaan 1, Chatham 4, Claverack 4, Clermont 1, Livingston 1, Germantown 4, Ghent 9, Hillsdale 4, Hudson 11, Kinderhook 5, New Lebanon 1. Pine Haven residents 11, in Claverack.

For more information about COVID-19 please see our website https://www.columbiacountynyhealth.com/…/coronavirus-covid…/