COUNTYWIDE INFECTION RATE ‘CONSISTENT’

On Saturday, the Columbia County Department of Health recorded seven new cases of COVID-19 among county residents, with 21 cases combined on Sunday and Monday, and 11 on Tuesday. Five individuals are hospitalized, with one in the ICU. One virus-related death of a community member brings the in-county pandemic total to 91. “The number of new cases continues to be consistent,” said county DOH Director Jack Mabb.

ADVISORY: Please note that the numbers distributed in Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell’s coronavirus press releases are morning results provided to the county Department of Health via the state reporting system. Updated numbers are issued again by the state in the afternoon, ordinarily past the time this press release is distributed. Consequently, there may be discrepancies in the numbers that appear here versus the final daily numbers shown on the DOH website and elsewhere.

SENIORS: NEED VACCINATION REGISTRATION HELP?

Columbia County seniors in need of assistance getting themselves registered for the COVID-19 vaccine are encouraged to contact the county call center Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The telephone number is 518-697-5560.

THIS WEEK’S DOH VACCINATION PODs SCHEDULED

This week, the Columbia County Health Department will conduct the following first-dose COVID-19 vaccination PODs:

The registration link will be active on the DOH website at 5 p.m. Wednesday. In addition, the county DOH will administer 569 second doses of the Pfizer vaccine on Wednesday, and 309 second doses of Moderna on Friday. The Columbia County Department of Health website is located at columbiacountynyhealth.com.

All vaccination PODs will be held at Columbia-Greene Community College.

COUNTY VACCINATION PROGRESS; AGE 16+ NOW ELIGIBLE

As of Monday, April 5, the County Department of Health had administered 6,943 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Second doses now number 3,658. The vaccine administered is Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson. Sixty doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine were administered to homebound county residents by the county DOH and the New York State Police. Beginning today, individuals aged 16 and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. At this time, 16 and 17 year olds can only receive the Pfizer vaccine and have parental consent; 18 and older are eligible for all three vaccines (Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson)

HOMEBOUND VAX HELP IS AVAILABLE

Homebound county residents with no computer and no ability to sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine are advised to contact the county call center Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for registration assistance. The telephone number is 518-697-5560.

COUNTY VACCINATION INFORMATION PHONE LINE

The Columbia County Department of Health has introduced a dedicated telephone number for those inquiring on their vaccination eligibility: 518-697-5560. The line is active Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This phone line provides general info about vaccine availability in Columbia County. It does not determine eligibility for the vaccine. To check on vaccination distribution procedures and other vaccine-related information, residents may to consult the New York State Department website at https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov

The Columbia County Department of Health does not have the authority to define vaccination categories.

CORONAVIRUS TESTING SITES (as of 1-8-2021)

New York Testing Site, University at Albany. By appointment only at 888-364-3065

WellNow Urgent Care, 446 Fairview Avenue, Hudson. 518-267-3496. May be out-of-pocket costs;

Columbia County Department of Health, 518-828-3358. Check www.columbiacountynyhealth.com for scheduled walk-up and drive-thru clinics;

Greene County Department of Health, by appointment only on Wednesdays from 5-6:30 p.m., 518-719-3600;

Also, Community Care Physicians, Latham. 518-863-3600. 12-7 p.m.;

Priority 1 Urgent Care, Guilderland, 518- 867-8040;

Whitney Young, Albany, 518-465-4771;

Rite Aid, Colonie, 518-267-3496;

CareMount Medical Urgent Care, Rhinebeck, 844-484-6564;

CVS-Valatie, 518- 758-2200;

CVS-Red Hook, 845-758-9612.

Also, Central Med Urgent Care, 1662 Central Avenue, Albany, 518-240-1456, bills insurance;

Walgreens Rapid Testing, 41 Holland Avenue, Albany, 518-426, 2976.

EmUrgentCare locations offer COVID-19 tests for patients without symptoms at the following locations: 98 Wolf Rd., Albany; 11835 US-9W, West Coxsackie; 2976 US-9W, Saugerties; 5 New Karner Rd., Guilderland. The telephone number for all locations is 518-264-9000. Check for out-of-pocket costs.

Price Chopper test locations with testing hours from 7-9 a.m. on Tuesdays: Chatham, Clifton Park, Latham, Troy, Wilton. Other Price Chopper locations and times: Ft. Edward, Tuesday, 7-10 a.m.; Glenmont, Wednesday, 7-10 a.m.; Johnstown, Tuesday, 7-11 a.m.; and Schenectady, Wednesday, 12-2 p.m.

Pine Plains Pharmacy: 2965 Church Street, Pine Plains, 518-398-5588. Monday-Saturday by appointment only.

AT-HOME COVID-19 TEST AVAILABLE

LabCorp currently offers an at-home COVID-19 test at

This test does not detect antibodies or immunity. It is designed to determine active infection with the virus that causes COVID-19.

After completing a short eligibility survey, choose a billing option, which can be through personal insurance, the use of federal funds to cover the cost of this test on your behalf if you’re uninsured, or with a credit card. The test kit will arrive via FedEx. After collecting and returning your sample, the average time to deliver results is one-two days from when your sample is received at the lab, according to LabCorp.

COUNTY DOH FLU SHOTS AVAILABLE

The flu vaccine will be offered by appointment only at the regularly scheduled immunization clinic every Tuesday from 1-3:30 p.m. at Columbia County Department of Health 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.

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.

COUNTY STILL ACCEPTING MASK DONATIONS

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]

OTHER DONATION INFORMATION

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

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. The county will issue a press release on the coronavirus situation Monday, and Thursdays. 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.