Friday, May 13, 2022

Chairman’s press release

COUNTY HITS ‘HIGH RISK’ CATEGORY

COVID-19 cases As of Thursday, per the CDC, Columbia County’s rate of new COVID-19 cases is now in the high risk category.

Also as of Thursday, the CDC-reported current average of new daily cases per 100,000 of population stood at 26.9. The positive test rate is 15.9 percent.

The county Department of Health reported 73 new cases on Monday, 44 Tuesday, 57 Wednesday, 26 Thursday, and 24 as of midday today. There are currently 20 individuals hospitalized and there have been two deaths this week.

Although New York State has lifted the mandate for mask wearing while inside a business, local health care officials continue to encourage the wearing of masks while indoors, particularly for those with health problems.

Additional information on daily COVID-19 cases and more can be found on the Columbia County Department of Health’s website at https://www.columbiacountynyhealth.com

County vaccination and infection rates

As of Saturday, May 7, the Columbia County Department of Health had administered 11,281 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Second doses now number 9,560. The vaccine administered is Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson. Note: J&J – a one dose vaccine – is added as a first shot.

Third shots (boosters) of Moderna or Pfizer now number 4,016. Fourth shots (boosters) of Moderna or Pfizer now number 352. Johnson & Johnson boosters number 64.

Pediatric first shots number 587, with 573 second shots.

The total number of Columbia County residents by all vaccine providers, as shown on the NYS COVID-19 vaccine tracker website:

45,474 have received at least one dose, or 75.9 percent of the county’s 59,916 population.

 In the community

ReEntry Columbia (https://reentrycolumbia.org) remained open throughout the pandemic. We thank the county for its continuing support and the Berkshire-Taconic Foundation for emergency funding in 2020 to provide essentials to our motel-bound returning population. We returned to full-time hours in the office at 52 Green Street, Hudson, in fall of 2021 and will always keep our doors open.

ReEntry provides essential items such as food, clothing, phones, transport to newly released or still struggling clients, as well as works closely with local agencies to find stable housing, employment, and healthcare services. Our partnerships with mental health and substance use services create a network of care for our returning neighbors. Home COVID-19 test kits provided by Assemblyperson Didi Barrett’s office are offered; we keep masks on hand for use.

Last August we started a support supper group as community interaction has been so limited and we wanted to create a safe space for people to meet; this continues on Wednesday evenings. ReEntry continues to offer services at the county jail, to parolees, and to justice-impacted people and their family members.

–Laurie Scott, ReEntry Columbia Executive Director

Student testing, home testing and affirmation reports

The DOH continues to provide testing for students and staff of Columbia County schools who need a negative test to return to school. This will be by appointment only at the DOH Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 12:45-3:30 p.m. Parents may contact (518) 828-3358 X1251 to schedule these appointments when needed. This testing will still only be for staff/students of Columbia County schools who need a negative COVID test to return to school.

Also available on the county DOH website is information on filing home testing reports as well as affirmation letters of quarantine and/or isolation that may be required by employers.

Upcoming DOH vaccination clinics

Director Mabb issued a reminder that the DOH continues to offer vaccine clinics at Columbia-Greene Community College on Thursdays from 3-5:30 p.m. throughout the month of May. Pre-registration for second boosters for individuals aged 50-plus is encouraged and can be done through the website (https://www.columbiacountynyhealth.com) or links posted to the DOH Facebook page. Individuals who do not have internet access can make an appointment for second boosters by calling the health department at 518-828- 3358 extension 1306. Other doses are available on a walk-in basis.

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 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. Every Friday afternoon, Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell will issue a press release on the coronavirus situation. 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