Columbia County Department of Health Update

6/15/20 COVID-19 Update

As of 3 PM on June 15, 2020:

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

Columbia County Update

Monday, June 15, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

FROM: Chairman Matt Murell

TESTING TUESDAY AT JOHN L. EDWARDS

From 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 16th, and for the remaining Tuesdays in June, the Columbia County Department of Health will conduct testing clinics at the John L. Edwards Primary School in Hudson. There is no need to exhibit symptoms and registration is not required.

COUNTY TO NO LONGER REPORT TESTS RESULTS

County Department of Health Director Jack Mabb said on Monday that the county will discontinue what has become an impossible task of trying to determine the total daily number of tests performed for COVID-19 on county residents.

In an effort to push results out quickly to local health departments and providers, the state is “auto-batching,” said Director Mabb. “This produces duplicate test results reported in multiple batches. To break these down would require hours of sorting, time we don’t have.”

Further complicating the usefulness of the total daily testing numbers is the requirement that nursing homes test their staff weekly. “This testing is distorting the numbers. Nursing home staff will be tested four times a month whether they have symptoms or not,” said Director Mabb.

He added that the best source for current testing statistics is: https://health.data.ny.gov/Health/New-York-State-Statewide-COVID-19-Testing/xdss-u53e

Director Mabb said that at this time county Health Department numbers show a 1-17 infection rate within the county.

At the recent testing clinic held at the Columbia County Fairgrounds, 113 were tested, with zero positive results. “This is clearly a result of the social distancing measures being practiced by Columbia County residents,” said county Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell. “The good news we’re receiving regarding the overall infection rate and testing results indicate the hard work done by residents to limit the spread. It’s important that we all continue to do our best to restrain the spread of the virus here.”

Governor Cuomo has threatened to re-impose lockdown restrictions and other anti-coronavirus measures in areas of the state where COVID-19 has shown signs of re-emerging,

COUNTY STATE OF EMERGENCY EXTENDED

On Monday, county Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell said that the county’s state of emergency, scheduled to expire today, has been extended through July 15th.

COUNTY BUILDINGS NOW OPEN TO PUBLIC

Chairman Murell said on Monday that county buildings are now open to the public. “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:

Phase One: https://columbiacomeback.com/resources/phase-one/

Phase Two: https://columbiacomeback.com/resources/phase-two/

Phase Three: https://columbiacomeback.com/resources/phase-three/

Phase III scheduled for June 17th, NYS 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.

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 press release on the coronavirus situation Monday, Wednesday & Fridays. 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.