As of Thursday, Columbia County’s rate of new COVID-19 cases remained in the very high category, yet the current average of 33 new daily cases per 100,000 of population constitutes a drop from 69 per day last week. The positive test rate stands at 6.0 percent. Although New York State has lifted the mandate for mask wearing while in a business, local health care officials continue to encourage the wearing of masks while indoors, particularly for those with health problems, for at least another month. In addition, mask wearing remains mandatory in public schools.

Additional information on daily COVID-19 cases and more can be found on the Columbia County Department of Health’s website at https://www.columbiacountynyhealth.com

While New York State has removed the mandate for wearing a mask in a business or otherwise out in public, county DOH Director Jack Mabb said today that although the infection rate among county residents continues to fall, “It’s still okay to wear a mask when out in public. We’re still in the high zone as far as new infections go. I think people understand that we’re still locked up inside and COVID-19 has not disappeared.”

As of Saturday, February 5, the Columbia County Department of Health had administered 11,275 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Second doses now number 9,543. The vaccine administered is Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson. Note: J&J – a one dose vaccine – is added as a first shot. Third shots of Moderna or Pfizer now number 3,734. Johnson & Johnson boosters number 53. Pediatric first shots number 578, with 565 second shots.

The total number of Columbia County residents by all vaccine providers, as shown on the NYS COVID-19 vaccine tracker website: 40,829 have completed the vaccine series. 45,051 have received at least one dose, or 75.2 percent of the county’s 59,916 population. 83.3 percent of the county’s over-18 population has received at least one shot.

Throughout the pandemic, the Healthcare Consortium’s programs have continued, although sometimes in slightly different ways. For instance, they have continued to provide assistance to individuals and families enrolling in health insurance on the NY State of Health (the state’s online marketplace for health insurance), but since March 2020, they have been able to assist people by phone (though in-person visits are also still an option). They have also continued to deliver one of their most critical services, door-to-door non-emergency medical transportation to Columbia County residents.

“I think that is one of the things of which we are the most proud,” said the Consortium’s executive director, Claire Parde. “Our transportation program staff, including and especially our drivers, have been so determined about and dedicated to making sure that we continue to bring this county’s residents to and from their medical appointments, both within Columbia County and to many points beyond. And they have figured out how to do it in a way that is safe and comfortable for everyone, with strict masking and cleaning protocols.”

The Consortium has also used this time to meet needs that were specifically created by the pandemic, from driving people to and from COVID-testing sites to helping people who may lack an internet connection or computer equipment to schedule vaccination appointments and order at-home test kits online. “We’re a helping organization—it’s our mission to help people to get and stay healthy,” said Parde, “so it’s been very gratifying for us when we have actually had the chance to help in even these small ways.”

Student testing, home testing and affirmation reports

The Columbia County Department of Health has begun holding weekly testing times for students who need a negative test to return to school. County DOH will be at A.B. Shaw Fire Company in Claverack on Mondays and Thursdays from 9-11 a.m., and at the Chatham Firehouse on Wednesdays from 9-11 a.m.

Any student of a county school may visit at any of these times and locations. Also available on the county DOH website is information on filing home testing reports as well as affirmation letters of quarantine and/or isolation that may be required by employers

The Columbia County Department of Health is offering first, second, and third doses of COVID-19 vaccines as well as boosters for those aged 16 and above at Columbia-Greene Community College every Thursday this month from 3-6 p.m., and every Friday from 1-3 p.m.

Links to register for the boosters are available on the DOH website. Those seeking first, second, and third shots are advised to contact the county Health Department at 518-828- 3358 to schedule their appointment at the college.

The DOH is offering a pediatric (ages 5-11) Pfizer clinic every Wednesday in January from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. by appointment only at 325 Columbia Street.

Further information and registration links are posted on the county DOH website at columbiacountynyhealth.com

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

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.

The 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.

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 844-484-6564

CVS-Red Hook, call for appointment, 845-758-9612.

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.

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.

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.

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.