Monday, April 4, 2022

Chairman’s press release

COUNTY DOH: ‘SLIGHT TICK UP IN CASES’ COVID-19 cases

As of Thursday, per the CDC, Columbia County’s rate of new COVID-19 cases remains in the low risk category.

As of Wednesday, the CDC-reported current average of new daily cases per 100,000 of population stood at 6.5. The positive test rate is 2.7 percent.

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

Looking ahead

“Like many counties in the area, Columbia County is seeing a slight tick up in positive COVID-19 cases,” said Columbia County Department of Health Director Jack Mabb.

“Over the course of the last two weeks, we’ve been averaging eight cases per day, but this week we’re seeing 13 and 14 cases per day,” said Director Mabb. “The good news is that only four people are hospitalized and none of the four are in intensive care. I think this is just part of the ebb and flow of this virus, I think we’ll see this going forward through spring with the hoped-for drop off coming with summer.”

He added that the county DOH is gearing up to offer the second booster shot that the FDA approved earlier this week. A clinic is scheduled for next Thursday afternoon, April 7, and an appointment signup link is expected to be on the department’s web site early next week.

County vaccination and infection rates

As of Saturday, March 26, the Columbia County Department of Health had administered 11,278 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Second doses now number 9,557. The vaccine administered is Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson. Note: J&J – a one dose vaccine – is added as a first shot.

Third shots of Moderna or Pfizer now number 3,842. Johnson & Johnson boosters number 63.

Pediatric first shots number 583, with 571 second shots.

The total number of Columbia County residents by all vaccine providers, as shown on the NYS COVID-19 vaccine tracker website:

45,365 have received at least one dose, or 75.7 percent of the county’s 59,916 population.

In the community

For Coarc, the Columbia County chapter of the Arc New York, an agency that provides comprehensive services and support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the pandemic has impacted every single aspect of the organization. From implementing safety measures like health screenings, mask and PPE mandates and major programming changes to combatting record staff vacancy rates, the challenges of the past two years have been varied and ever-changing.

With most of the staff qualifying as essential workers and many of them working in 24/7 staffed residential environments, Coarc CEO Ken Stall said that the organization’s top concern has been the safety and well=being of its employees as well as the people they support. Coarc instituted hazard pay and stipends to cover the vacant shifts, as well as bonuses, to ensure that people receiving Coarc’s services did not have to sacrifice the resources they depend upon.

“We’ve all had to contend with obstacles such as soaring vacancy rates, pandemic quarantines and restrictions, new and ever-changing regulatory requirements and mask mandates, among many other challenges,” said Stall. “Coarc employees have been incredibly resilient and have adapted to new ways of providing supports to people with developmental disabilities. Our staff has redefined what it means to be committed and dedicated.” Whether adapting to new regulations and visitation restrictions or turning the transportation department into a food delivery service, the team at Coarc learned to pivot quickly and make the most of its resources.

Going forward, Coarc hopes to safely begin to engage with the surrounding community once again through field trips, activities and employment opportunities for the people supported by the organization. As services return to full functionality, Coarc also anticipates expanding its workforce in locations across Columbia County. To learn more about Coarc, visit coarc.org or visit their pages on Facebook @Coarc518 and Instagram @coarc_

Student testing, home testing and affirmation reports

Due to low response, the county DOH has discontinued the school COVID testing PODs. The DOH will continue 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

The Columbia County Department of Health is offering first, second, and third doses of COVID-19 vaccines as well as boosters for those aged 16 and above at Columbia-Greene Community College every Thursday in April from 3- 5:30 p.m. The DOH will offer a pediatric (ages 5-11) Pfizer clinic at this clinic. Those who are receiving boosters or subsequent doses of vaccine should bring their vaccine record card.

Future clinics will be held on a walk-in basis – registration links will no longer be posted. Further information is posted on the county DOH website at columbiacountynyhealth.com.

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 Office.