Chairman’s press release

FRAUD COMPLAINTS ABOUND

Fraudulent unemployment insurance filings and other internet-type scams have proliferated in Columbia County and across New York State, to the extent that the state Attorney General has established a fraudulent claims division in her office, said Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell on Wednesday.

“While this type of activity goes on in ordinary times, it seems that during the time of the pandemic it has really spiked,” said Chairman Murell. “I would recommend that people be more vigilant than they may previously have been with such things as their bank accounts, credit reports, and other financial-related matters.”

Those who suspect they may have been affected by this fraudulent unemployed insurance activity are advised to visit http://on.ny.gov/uifraud with details.

For those who suspect fraud in the vaccine distribution process, call 833-VAX-SCAM (833-829-7226) toll-free or email the state Department of Health at [email protected]

CASES CONTINUE TO DROP; TARGETED CLOSED PODs EFFICIENT

The Columbia County Department of Health reported 15 new positive cases of COVID-19 as of midday Wednesday, with another 25 on Tuesday. Including those 40 the county has now seen a total of 3,210 cases of the virus.

There are currently 32 individuals hospitalized with the virus, with three in the ICU. Following two deaths at Ghent Rehabilitation & Nursing Center and one community death, that total is now 75.

Director Mabb indicated that the county DOH’s targeted closed POD system, instituted last week as a way to best ensure maximum vaccine delivery efficiency in the face of limited supplies, was “working extremely well as we work through the state’s vaccination categories. It’s really helping as we await the days of more vaccines.”

Also, last Saturday the county DOH delivered 110 shots of the second dose in a closed POD.

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.

NY ALERT OFFERS VACCINE NOTIFICATIONS

Columbia County has developed a NY ALERT public information category that can be used to receive general vaccine information by email about the COVID-19 vaccine effort in Columbia County, said county Emergency Management Director David Harrison, Jr., on Wednesday.

“The COVID-19 vaccine information provided is non-emergency general information for Columbia County that will be sent out to anyone who signs up for it,” Director Harrison said. Personal NY ALERT accounts are provided by NYS free of charge.

For those who already have a NY ALERT account, sign in and go to my subscriptions. Under Columbia County, check off the box for COVID-19 vaccine information, then click save – you should begin to receive informational emails when they go out.

If you do not already have a NY ALERT account, visit https://alert.ny.gov, sign up and follow the instructions to create your account, then follow the instructions outlined above to get COVID-19 vaccine information emails.

Note: NY ALERT is also the mass emergency notification system that Columbia County uses to send out emergency notifications to county residents. There are many additional categories of information you can request to be notified about. The NY ALERT website is operated and maintained by New York State.

PHARMACIES TO PROVIDE VACCINE

As pharmacies begin to develop vaccination plans, those in Columbia County that have signed up with New York State to be providers are:

Hannaford in Valatie and Hudson; Price Chopper in Chatham; ShopRite, Hudson; Walgreens in Hudson and Chatham; and the Hudson Walmart.

“We are thankful for these donations,” said Chairman Murell. “This extended public health crisis is also a huge financial drain, and the public support is extremely helpful in combating the virus.”

COUNTY VACCINATION INFORMATION PHONE LINE

The Columbia County Department of Health has a dedicated telephone number for those with questions: 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.