Friday, April 10, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FROM: Chairman Matt Murell

COUNTY COVID-19 DEATH TOLL RISES The death of one Pine Haven Nursing Home & Rehabilitation Center resident on Thursday and another Friday morning brings to four the number of Pine Haven residents that have fallen victim to COVID-19, Columbia County Department of Health Director Jack Mabb said Friday.

“Overall, six Columbia County residents have succumbed to COVID-19,” said Mabb. “There are currently 83 positive test results out of 581 tested in the county.”

SOCIAL DISTANCING REMAINS CRITICAL “With the religious holiday weekend upon us, it remains just as important as ever that county residents continue to practice safe social distancing precautions,” said county Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell. “All of us have put in a lot of effort to date to help stop the spread of the coronavirus by keeping our distance, as difficult as that may be at times. Now, while we may be tempted to hold large family gatherings and observe religious services in groups this weekend, we have not yet reached the point where this can be done safely.”

“We understand that people hear this all the time,” Murell added. “We are also aware that some signs seem to be indicating that the impact of the disease on society may be on the decrease. Yet, as I’ve said previously, the reason the transmission of the virus seems to be slowing somewhat is due to everyone taking social distancing measures. I ask that all of us continue to do so for the well-being of everyone.”

COUNTY OFFICE FOR THE AGING At the Columbia County Office for the Aging, Administrator Kevin McDonald said that while all county meal sites are closed until further notice, Meals on Wheels continues to deliver.

OFA plans to send out another round of shelf-stable meals next week, McDonald said. “The shelf-stable meals are in case something happens and we are unable to get a hot meal to them, that they’ll still have something on hand to eat,” he said. An OFA staff member is present in the OFA office every weekday from 8-4 for those seniors seeking assistance. The telephone number is 518-828-4258.

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.

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.

HOTLINE FOR ELDERLY AND VULNERABLE Columbia County Sheriff David Bartlett has 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.

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. 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.