Chairman’s press release
COVID CASES ON THE RISE
From Saturday through Monday, the Columbia County Department of Health recorded 21 new positive cases of COVID-19 among county residents, six of whom were vaccinated. As of midday today, 11 new cases had been recorded, said DOH Director Jack Mabb. There are currently seven hospitalized individuals, one of whom is vaccinated. One is in the ICU.
The 21 cases recorded Saturday-Sunday-Monday were distributed relatively evenly across all age groups.
“Most don’t know where they got it,” said Director Mabb. “It seems to be settling in entire families – if one family member gets it, they all seem to get it. The delta variant is clearly a much more contagious strain than what we were dealing with before.”
It has been estimated that 82 percent of the current cases of Covid-19 in New York State are of the delta variant, although there has been no confirmation of that number in Columbia County.
“We are acknowledging that the CDC is now saying that certain categories of immunocompromised can receive a booster shot. We are awaiting further guidance on this from the state health department. We will be requiring a doctor’s note indicating the person is qualified for the shot,” Director Mabb said.
“Based on what we’re hearing out of the White House, I think we’ll be seeing a recommendation for boosters for all by mid-September,” he added.
Vaccination opportunities are posted on the county DOH website at columbiacountynyhealth.com
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.
COUNTY VACCINATION RATE
As of Monday, August 16, the Columbia County Department of Health had administered 10,959 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Second doses now number 9,389. The vaccine administered is Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson. Note: J&J – a one dose vaccine – is added as a first shot.
The total number of Columbia County residents by all vaccine providers, as shown on the NYS COVID-19 vaccine tracker website:

34,877 have completed the vaccine series. 37,939 have received at least one dose, or 63.3 percent of the county’s 59,916 population. 72.8 percent of the county’s over-18 population has received at least one shot.
COUNTY DOH OFFERS WEEKLY VAX HOURS
Every Tuesday and Thursday during the hours of 1 to 3:30 p.m., the Columbia County Department of Health offers COVID-19 vaccinations at its 325 Columbia Street, Hudson location. Every third Tuesday of the month, the immunization clinic runs from 1-6 p.m. On Wednesdays from 5-7 p.m., the county DOH will offer vaccinations (weather permitting) at the Waterfront Wednesday’s family friendly public programming on the Hudson waterfront.
COVID-19 TESTING SITES (as of 8-2-2021)
Those seeking testing are advised to contact the site for insurance eligibility and testing hours.
New York State DOH, 888-364-3065. CMH Copake Rapid Care, call for appointment, 518-329-3902. CMH Valatie Rapid Care, call for appointment, 518-758-4300. WellNow Urgent Care, Hudson, 518-267-3496. CVS-Valatie, call for appointment, 518-758-2200. Pine Plains Pharmacy, online preregistration required, 518-398-5588. CareMount Medical Urgent Care, Rhinebeck. CVS-Red Hook, call for appointment, 845-758-9612.
Also, Community Care Physicians, Latham, 518-863-3600. Whitney Young, Albany, 518-465-4771. Priority 1 Urgent Care, Guilderland, 518-867-8040. Rite Aid-Colonie, 518-240-1456. Central Med Urgent Care, Albany, 518- 240-1456. Walgreens Rapid Testing, 518-426-2976. EmUrgentCare, Albany, Saugerties, West Coxsackie, Guilderland, 518-264-9000 for all locations.
SENIORS & HOMEBOUND RESIDENTS –
DO YOU NEED VACCINATION REGISTRATION HELP?
Columbia County Seniors and/or homebound residents 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.
COUNTY VACCINATION INFORMATION PHONE LINE
he Columbia County call center dedicated to helping those requiring assistance with vaccine registration is active Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The dedicated telephone number is 518-697- 5560.
AT-HOME COVID-19 TEST AVAILABLE
LabCorp currently offers an at-home COVID-19 test at https://www.pixel.labcorp.com/at-home-test- kits/covid-19-test-home-collection-kit. 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.

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. 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 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 Tuesday, the county 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.