Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Chairman’s press release

COUNTY INFECTION RATE HIGHEST IN AREA

As of midday today, the Columbia County Department of Health had recorded 54 new cases of COVID-19 infection, with 57 recorded on Saturday and 55 on Sunday and Monday combined.

There are 12 county residents hospitalized, 10 of whom are patients of Columbia Memorial Health. Of those 10, three are vaccinated. There is one individual in the ICU. There are four corrections officers and six inmates currently infected at the Columbia County Jail.

County DOH Director Jack Mabb said today that Columbia County currently stands atop the region’s list of highest infection rate at 10.73 percent. Other counties in the area range from seven to nine percent at this time.

All 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.

EMERGENCY DIRECTOR RECOMMENDS MASK WEARING

Columbia County Emergency Management Director David W. Harrison, Jr., said today that he recommends mask wearing when indoors, especially indoor public areas, regardless of vaccination status. “I think everyone in the medical field agrees that, apart from vaccinations, mask-wearing is the most effective way to keep from contracting the virus,” he said.

Director Harrison pointed out that infection rates have risen since people have moved indoors for the winter and because of the Thanksgiving holiday. Now that the December holidays are upon us and with the omicron variant moving in, there’s no reason to expect infection rates to fall in the immediate future.

“For the sake of everyone’s safety, including yourself and others, now is the time to wear a mask whenever inside of a public building with other people. None of us want to experience the statewide restrictions of a year-and-a half ago, so we need to do what we can to push back against this virus,” he said.

County leaders continue to conduct twice-weekly telephone conferences regarding COVID-19 issues, Director Harrison said.

 UPCOMING VACCINATION CLINIC

On Thursday, December 16, the Columbia County Department of Health will conduct a multi-brand booster clinic at Columbia-Greene Community College from 3-6 p.m. On Friday, December 17, county DOH will conduct a multi-brand booster clinic at C-GCC from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. All registration links are posted on the county DOH website at columbiacountynyhealth.com

COUNTY DOH OFFERS WEEKLY VAX HOURS

On Tuesdays between 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 1-5:30 p.m. An appointment is required – call the Health Department at: 518-828-3358.

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 pre registration 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.

COUNTY DOH OFFERS WEEKLY VAX HOURS

On Tuesdays between 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. Walk-ins are accepted but appointments are strongly encouraged.

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 9am to 4 pm The telephone number is 518-828-3358.

AT-HOME COVID-19 TEST AVAILABLE

LabCorp currently offers an at-home COVID-19 test at https://www.pixel.labcorp.com/at-home-testkits/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 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 Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Health, and the Emergency Management Office