Columbia County Board of Health Update

As of 3 PM on June 10, 2020:

– Columbia County has had 37 residents that have passed away from COVID-19.

-Columbia County has received a total of 6,470 PCR test results with 407 confirmed positive cases.

Columbia County Update

Wednesday, June 10, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

FROM: Chairman Matt Murell

PHASE III, SUMMER CAMP GUIDANCE BEING RELEASED

With Phase III of the New York Forward four-phase plan to reopen the Capital Region’s economy scheduled for next Wednesday, June 17th, Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell today said that guidance from the state has begun to be released at https://forward.ny.gov/phase-three-industries

“This is good news for restaurants, food service, and personal care businesses covered under Phase III. I’ve been among those advocating for state guidance to come out more than a day or two before a phase was set to open, as happened with phases one and two,” said Chairman Murell.

State guidance regarding summer camps has also begun to appear, Chairman Murell noted. At the same time, he repeated that county leadership, including the Health Department, strongly recommends against holding summer camp this year.

STATE TO PROVIDE PRIVATE BUSINESSES WITH HAND SANITIZER

County Emergency Management Director David W. Harrison, Jr., said Wednesday he had learned that New York State will soon be providing hand sanitizer for private businesses. Locally, it will be handed out at the Public Safety building in Greenport.

“We haven’t yet received a shipment, but in the meantime we are working out details for when it will be available for pickup,” said Harrison. Details will be announced when they become available.

COUNTY BUILDINGS OPEN TO PUBLIC COMING MONDAY

Chairman Murell said on Wednesday that staff has begun returning to county buildings and preparing for public access next Monday, June 15th. “Buildings will be staffed at 50 percent, with virus-related safety precautions in place for both employees and the public. Nonetheless, it is good to see some restoration of normal business activity,” said Chairman Murell.

 

BUSINESS REOPENING TOOLS

Phase One and Phase Two of New York Forward is open in Columbia County, Guidelines and templates relating to reopening plans can be found at: https://columbiacomeback.com/resources/phase

onehttps://columbiacomeback.com/resources/phase-two

Phase III schedule for June 17th, link https://forward.ny.gov/phase-three-industries  Also, New York State has a “Reopening Tool,” designed to let businesses know when they may reopen in a particular region. It can be accessed at: https://www.businessexpress.ny.gov/app/nyforward

AVAILABLE SERVICES

Family Assistance Network: As part of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, Columbia County Emergency Management has asked leaders in the human services and spiritual areas of our community for help, Director of Emergency Management David W. Harrison, Jr., said Saturday. The individuals were asked to form a Family Assistance Network to provide information to assist county residents who may be dealing with someone close to them who passed away as a result of the COVID-19 virus. Information on where someone can reach out for help is posted on various websites, including the Columbia County website: www.columbiacountyny.com and the Emergency Management Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/columbiacountyemergencymanagementoffice

Hotline for Elderly and Vulnerable: Columbia County Sheriff David Bartlett has established a hotline for the elderly and vulnerable in our county, including those with medical conditions or are disabled, who would welcome a deputy checking on their well-being on a daily basis. The number for the hotline is 518-828-0601, extension 1400.

Reminder……….

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 should 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.

Masks: Those interested in donating masks should contact Austerlitz Town Supervisor and county Health and Human Services Committee Chairman Rob Lagonia at [email protected]. “It doesn’t matter whether it’s five or 100, we need every one,” said Lagonia, who recommends that those wishing to help out with mask donations consult CDC guidelines at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diycloth-face-coverings.html Currently, Ocean State Job Lot stores are offering free fabric for use in the construction of masks in a “Mask Fabric For Free” campaign. Visit any Ocean State location for the fabric, which is said to be of a high-quality cotton/polyester blend available in two sizes. Further information is available on the Ocean State Job Lot website. Jo-Ann Fabrics and Crafts is offering free mask kits. Those seeking to acquire a kit are advised to order online for curbside pickup. The Greenport store telephone number is 518-828-2621. Current store hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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. The county will issue a daily press release on the coronavirus situation every afternoon. 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.

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