Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Chairman’s press release

COUNTY DOH CLEARS WAY FOR SPORTS PRACTICES

Columbia County Department of Health Director Jack Mabb has given the go-ahead for county schools to move forward with practicing for sports. Director Mabb noted that for games to take place, the seven-day rolling COVID-19 infection rate must drop below four percent.

For practices to begin, the school district’s Board of Education or non-public school’s Board of Directors or appropriate person/entity must approve the district/school’s participation in each higher-risk sport. Further, each school leader must oversee the creation of a sport-specific preparedness plan, which must be approved by the district/school’s medical director.

It is recommended that each student-athlete have medical clearance from their healthcare provider. In addition, each must have a parent or guardian’s informed consent. All parties must agree to fully cooperate with case investigations and to adhere to isolation and quarantine orders.

All student-athletes will be required to be tested once a week, utilizing rapid antigen tests supplied by the county and/or Quester III BOCES.

Should the seven-day rolling positivity rate average rise about five percent, all practices and scheduled games will be suspended pending a drop in the rate to or below four percent. If any school has to move to a remote schedule due to a spike in COVID-19 positive cases in the school, practices and scheduled games will be suspended pending a drop in the rate back to or below four percent.

‘PRECIPITOUS DROP IN RATE’

On Wednesday, county Department of Health Director Jack Mabb reported 12 new cases of COVID-19 among county residents on Tuesday, and another 14 as of midday Wednesday.

“This is terrific – we’re seeing a precipitous drop in the infection rate,” said Director Mabb.

Twenty-three individuals remain hospitalized, with one in the ICU. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 85 residents have died as a result of the virus, with 3,353 total positive cases reported. In addition, nursing home infections are dropping, Director Mabb said.

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.

FINANCIAL DONATION

Columbia County has received $250 in new monetary donations in the fight against the coronavirus, county Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell said Wednesday. The Hillsdale Democratic Club has donated $250, bringing total donations to the COVID-19 effort to $46,522.

“Obviously, the longer this public health crisis goes on, the larger the financial drain,” said Chairman Murell. “The county is thankful for all donations received to help wage this fight.”

CHECK RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS

New York residents seeking to register for the COVID-19 vaccine in adjacent states, such as Massachusetts and Connecticut, are advised to check on their eligibility as an out-of-state resident. Individuals have reported having been turned away onsite after having passed through the registration process.

COMORBIDITIES TO QUALIFY NEXT WEEK

Individuals who suffer from a variety of comorbidities and underlying conditions become eligible for the COVID- 19 vaccine on Monday, February 15, Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced.

The full list is available below. The list is subject to change as additional scientific evidence is published and as New York State obtains and analyzes additional state-specific data.

Adults of any age with the following conditions due to increased risk of moderate or severe illness or death from the virus that causes COVID-19:

• Cancer (current or in remission, including 9/11-related cancers)
• Chronic kidney disease
• Pulmonary Disease, including but not limited to, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease),

  asthma (moderate-to-severe), pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, and 9/11 related pulmonary

  diseases

• Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities including Down Syndrome
• Heart conditions, including but not limited to heart failure, coronary artery disease,

  cardiomyopathies, or hypertension (high blood pressure)

• Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) including but not limited to solid organ

  transplant or from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV, use of

  corticosteroids, use of other immune weakening medicines, or other causes

• Severe Obesity (BMI 40 kg/m2), Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 kg/m2 or higher but < 40

  kg/m2)

• Pregnancy
• Sickle cell disease or Thalassemia
• Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus
• Cerebrovascular disease (affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)
• Neurologic conditions including but not limited to Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia
• Liver disease

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 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, 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 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.

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.