As of midday today, the Columbia County Department of Health had recorded 53 new cases of COVID-19 infection among county residents, with 87 cases Tuesday, 79 Wednesday, and 91 Thursday. There are currently 27 county residents hospitalized with the virus, and one in the ICU. Two deaths this week brings to 127 the number of county residents who have died as a result of the virus from the beginning of the pandemic.

While we don’t know if the mask mandate will be in effect after next week given the court challenge and the looming expiration date on the mandate, county DOH Director Jack Mabb strongly recommends the continued use of masks among county residents owing to their proven effectiveness against both the coronavirus and seasonal flu.

“It’s been clear the past two years that the use of masks has been responsible for the dramatically low flu numbers we’ve been experiencing. It goes without saying their importance in the fight against the virus,” said Director Mabb.

In addition, Director Mabb advises that home test kits be maintained at a temperature range of 36-86 degrees. “It’s not a good idea to leave them overnight in your car these days. When a kit freezes and then thaws, it’s no longer any good,” he said.

The Healthcare Consortium is assisting people with limited computer access/skills to order at-home COVID-19 test kits online. Anyone interested is advised to call 518-822-9600.

Beginning next week, Chairman Murell’s weekly press releases will appear only on Friday.

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.

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.

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.

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.