Columbia County Department of Health Update

As of 10 AM on June 6, 2020:

– Columbia County has had 34 residents that have passed away from COVID-19.
-Columbia County has received a total of 5,812 PCR test results with 400 confirmed positive cases.
-There are 72 active cases of COVID-19 in Columbia County.
-There are 37 additional residents on mandatory quarantine and 10 residents on precautionary quarantine.
-294 of the 400 cases have recovered from COVID-19
– 16 of the positive cases are hospitalized, none of those hospitalized are in the ICU
– We’ve received 1,574 antibody results, of which 148 were positive.

Columbia County Update

Saturday, June 6, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

FROM: Chairman Matt Murell

CHAIRMAN QUESTIONS MIXED MESSAGES

“Since the coronavirus pandemic sent us into lockdown with a variety of health protocols designed to prevent the spread of the virus, Health Department officials and elected leaders in Columbia County have done their best to adhere to New York State-issued guidance. From all appearances, much of it has seemed to help and we’re happy to have entered into Phase 2 of the New York Forward business reopening plan,” said Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell on Saturday.

“That being said, it’s hard for me to understand why places like department stores, grocery stores, and summer camps can be open for business, when high school graduations continue to be held to a strict set of guidelines. The inconsistency of virus-fighting recommendations is confounding, to say the least,” Chairman Murell added.

“I’d ask that the state revisit the high school graduation guidance it issued this week, and consider offering up some less-restrictive options that enable schools and their students to conduct graduations while still practicing appropriate social distancing and other safety protocols,” he said.

STATES ISSUES GRADUATION GUIDANCE

The New York State Department of Health and Governor Cuomo on Thursday, June 4, announced guidance for alternative graduation celebrations for school districts to consider. Provided the guidance is strictly followed, school districts are cleared to proceed with graduation.

The new guidance is contrary to the previous state approach, which called for a local committee composed of the county’s chief elected official, the county DOH director, and the county Emergency Management director to review and approve a school’s graduation plan.

In its announcement, the state provides extensive guidance for holding a virtual celebration or a celebration that maintains social distancing. The full state press release can be accessed at https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home

Nothing in this guidance would prohibit delaying a graduation ceremony until later in the year, according to the state’s June 4 guidance.

IMPORTANT UPCOMING EVENTS CORONAVIRUS TESTING CLINIC

Sunday, June 7th 10:00am – 1:00pm: at the Columbia County Fairgrounds in Chatham – open to everyone. Signup instructions and further instructions regarding the clinics can be found on the Health Department’s webpage on the Columbia County website https://www.columbiacountynyhealth.com/, or by calling 518-828- 3358.

COLUMBIA COMEBACK MEETING

Monday, June 8th, at 1:00pm: Columbia Comeback Meeting. The meeting is open to the public and can be accessed at https://columbiacomeback.com. Columbia Comeback was established by Chairman Murell as a resource for local businesses as they work to safely and successfully reopen under state guidelines.

Resources……..

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-one/ https://columbiacomeback.com/resources/phase-two/.

Also, New York State has recently added 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.