Columbia County Board of Supervisors

Monday, December 21, 2020
DOH DIRECTOR SAYS INFECTIONS HITTING WORKING PEOPLE
On Monday, Columbia County Department of Health Director Jack Mabb reported 24 new cases of COVID-19 among county residents. Over the weekend, Saturday saw 11 new cases, and 29 on Sunday. Seven individuals are currently hospitalized.
“We’re still seeing the surge on top of the surge of Thanksgiving gatherings, and we’re right around the corner from Christmas. I think that surge will be even bigger than this one,” Director Mabb said.
In addition to several new cases among the county work staff, Mabb also noted that four staff members at Livingston Hills Nursing & Rehabilitation Center have tested positive for the virus.
“We are seeing many working people now being infected. Somewhat surprisingly, not a lot of students or nursing home patients are seemingly affected right now,” said Director 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.
COVID-19 FORCES COUNTY TO 50% ONSITE STAFFING
Owing to an increase in community spread and in county buildings of COVID-19, effective Monday, December 21, all non-essential departments and select essential departments will operate with a 50% reduction in staff scheduled to report their county building worksite. Staff not at their county worksite will be working remotely from home.
All county offices will remain open during this staff reduction period. Social distancing measures, PPE use, screening, and cleaning per New York State guidelines remain in place.
The plan will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
JANUARY 5 IS NEXT DOH COVID-19 DRIVE-THRU CLINIC
The Columbia County Department of Health has scheduled its next COVID-19 drive-thru test clinic for Tuesday, January 5, 2021, from 9-11 a.m. at the Firefighter Training Center, 50 Grandinetti Drive, Commerce Park, Ghent.
Registration is available at the county DOH website at www.columbiacountynyhealth.com or https://forms.gle/TBzLU7tkcRUqkEvu5

Registration is limited to residents of Columbia County. Please take a form of photo identification to the clinic. Masks are required for entry.
These tests will be nasopharyngeal swabs, which are useful in detecting the virus in actively sick people. The kits used are part of those purchased with the help of private donations to Columbia County.
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.
CORONAVIRUS TESTING SITES (as of 11-20-2020)
New York Testing Site, University at Albany- By appointment only at 888-364-3065 or www.covid19screening.health.ny.gov; 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, 518-719-3600, by appointment only on Wednesdays from 5-6:30 p.m.
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; Rapid Testing, Albany. 518-240-1456, insurance is billed.
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. Ft. Edward, Tuesday, 7-10 a.m.; Johnstown, Tuesday, 7-11 a.m.; and Schenectady, Wednesday, 12-2 p.m.
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.
DONATION INFORMATION
Masks: 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]
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 https://www.columbiacountynyhealth.com/home/coronavirus-covid-19 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 Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 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 Board of Supervisors, Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Health, and the Emergency Management Office.