The Monday 11/25/24 Planning Board Meeting has been cancelled. … {...}
July 13, 2021 Update
Tuesday, July 13, 2021
From the Columbia County Board of Supervisors
CHAIRMAN’S PRESS RELEASE
‘TIME TO GET OFF THE FENCE’
The Columbia County Department of Health recorded two new cases of COVID-19 as of midday today, said DOH Director Jack Mabb, who called the two cases “a family thing.” From Saturday through Monday, an additional two new cases were recorded, neither of whom were vaccinated, added Director Mabb. There are currently no hospitalizations among county residents from the virus.
Director Mabb said according to the CDC website, “the math has changed dramatically” as new infections develop around us. All counties between Columbia County and New York City, and Greene County, now appear in the “moderate” category for infection, while Columbia County remains in the “low” category. In addition, on Monday Albany County reported 15 new cases, Greene County 13, and Warren County 6.
“All this concerns me,” Director Mabb said. “Looking at this, we need to be prepared for the possibility that our incident rate will rise. Interestingly enough, this is happening in the summer. Now that we’re seeing this spike in neighboring counties, people on the fence about getting vaccinated need to get off the fence, especially with a potential spike coming in the fall. It’s clear that fully vaccinated people are not getting sick to the extent of those that are not vaccinated.”
On Wednesdays from 5-7 p.m., beginning July 14, the county DOH will offer vaccinations (weather permitting) at the Waterfront Wednesdays family friendly public programming on the Hudson waterfront. In addition, this Saturday, July 17, the county DOH will be at the Lebanon Valley Speedway in West Lebanon from 5-7 p.m. offering vaccinations to track attendees. 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.
COUNTY VACCINATION RATE
As of Monday, July 12, the Columbia County Department of Health had administered 10,795 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Second doses now number 9,344. The vaccine administered is Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson. Note: J&J – a one dose vaccine – is added as a first shot. These numbers represent an update for the past two weeks.
The total number of Columbia County residents by all vaccine providers, as shown on the NYS COVID-19 vaccine tracker website: 33,700 have completed the vaccine series. 36,339 have received at least one dose, or 60.6 percent of the county’s 59,916 population. 70.1 percent of the county’s over-18 population has received at least one shot.
COUNTY DOH OFFERS WEEKLY VAX HOURS
Every Tuesday and Thursday, the Columbia County Department of Health offers COVID-19 vaccinations at its 325 Columbia Street, Hudson location during the hours of 1pm – 4pm.
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SENIORS: NEED VACCINATION REGISTRATION HELP?
Columbia County seniors 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.
HOMEBOUND VAX HELP IS AVAILABLE
Homebound county residents with no computer and no ability to sign up for the COVID-19 vaccine are advised to contact the county call center Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for registration assistance. The telephone number is 518-697-5560.
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.
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
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
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.
COUNTY STILL ACCEPTING MASK DONATIONS
Those wishing to donate cloth masks to the county stockpile may contact the county Emergency Management office at 518-828-1212 or [email protected]
OTHER 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. 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
or their Facebook page @: https://www.facebook.com/
CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW FOR DAILY INFORMATION FROM THE COLUMBIA COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT:
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