Tuesday, June 29, 2021

From the Columbia County Board of Supervisors

CHAIRMAN’S PRESS RELEASE

THREE NEW COMMUNITY POSITIVES ‘A REMINDER’

As of midday Tuesday, three new cases of COVID-19 infection have been recorded by the Columbia County Department of Health, Director Jack Mabb said, adding, “This follows a prolonged stretch of zero or one new daily cases, then we get three new cases in one day. It’s a reminder that the virus has not gone away,” “These were all random community cases,” he said. “One was a third grader, one 18-years-old, and another age 60.” The 60-year-old had received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

In addition, Director Mabb noted that currently seven cases of virus-related myocarditis – an inflammation of the heart muscle — among young people are being studied at Albany Medical Center. Most are children, along with a 22-year-old and a 29-year-old. “All seven hail from around the Capital Region and represent a small portion of the thousands vaccinated,” he said.

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, June 28, the Columbia County Department of Health had administered 10,766 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Second doses now number 9,305. The vaccine administered is Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson. Note: J&J – a one dose vaccine – is added as a first shot. 33,109 have completed the vaccine series. 35,817 have received at least one dose, or 59.8 percent of the county’s 59,916 population. 69.2 percent of the county’s over 18 population has received at least one shot.

NOTE: The CDC has Columbia County’s percentage for over 18 population at 70%; due to Veterans being vaccinated at the VA and snowbirds vaccinated in other states, which are not reported by New York State.

County DOH Vaccination Clinics

On June 19 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., there will be a clinic with Pfizer vaccine (12+) at the Columbia-Greene Educational Center – Questar III BOCES, 131 Union Turnpike, Hudson. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or a legal guardian. A registration link is up on the DOH website, but walk-ins are also welcome. The second dose return date is 7/10/21.

In addition, every Wednesday through the month of June, the county DOH will host walk-in clinics at the Salvation Army Community Center, 40 S. 3rd Street, Hudson, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There is no registration required for these events. Photo ID is required.

Vaccination opportunities are posted on the county DOH website at columbiacountynyhealth.com.

Director Mabb said he has learned that county veterans who received their vaccinations – 871 so far — from the VA are not necessarily counted by the state’s vaccine tracker. “If you add those 871 into our totals, we’re at 69.2 percent of the population having been vaccinated. We’re nearly at 70 percent.”

COUNTY DOH OFFERS WEEKLY VAX HOURS

The Columbia County Department of Health every Tuesday will offer weekly COVID-19 vaccinations at its 325 Columbia Street, Hudson location during the hours of 1pm -3:30pm. On the 3rd Tuesday of the month, the hours are 1pm-6pm

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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 Fridayfrom 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.ny.gov

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]. Or Supervisor Rob Lagonia at [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/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, and Thursdays. 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.