Friday, January 21, 2022 Chairman’s press release

‘NICE TO SEE A DROP-OFF’

On Wednesday, the Columbia County Department of Health recorded 104 new cases of COVID-19 infection among county residents, with 122 cases Thursday, and 75 as of midday today.

“It’s nice to see that drop-off,” said county DOH Director Jack Mabb.

There are currently 32 county residents hospitalized with the virus. Two are in the ICU on a ventilator.

DOH Director Mabb noted that New York State reports that since December 1, 2021, there have been 169,764 cases of reinfection, which represents an infection more than 90 days after first being infected. This number represents 3.6 percent of all new COVID-19 infections in that time frame.

On Wednesday, February 2, the county DOH will conduct a vaccination clinic at the Hudson Boys Club from 3-5 p.m. The Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be available.

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.

STUDENT TESTING, BOOSTERS, HOME TESTING REPORTS

As of Monday, January 24, county DOH will begin 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. Vaccination boosters are available through the county DOH for those 12 and above. Further information and registration links are posted on the county DOH website at columbiacountynyhealth.com 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.

UPCOMING COUNTY DOH VACCINATION CLINICS

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

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 preregistration 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.

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.