Columbia County Department of Health Update

As of 3 PM on May 18, 2020:

-Unfortunately, Columbia County has had a 27th resident that has passed away from COVID-19.
-345 positive cases of COVID-19
-160 of the 345 cases have recovered from COVID-19
– 16 of the positive cases are hospitalized, 2 of those hospitalized are in the ICU
-We have received 3,167 test results completed for Columbia County residents
-153 residents are under mandatory quarantine and 5 under precautionary quarantine

Columbia County Update

Monday, May 18, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FROM: Chairman Matt Murell

CONTACT TRACERS SOUGHT

As of Monday, the Capital Region needed 166 contact tracers in order to meet the state requirement to begin reopening its economy under New York Forward metrics set forth by Governor Cuomo.

“The Capital Region has hit six of the seven metrics. I think we’ll be able to start re-opening under Phase One of the plan at some point this week,” said Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell, who has been meeting daily with the chief elected officials of the Capital Region with an eye on what needs to be accomplished in order to begin getting the economy re-started.

The Capital Region is composed of Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer, Washington, Saratoga, Warren, Columbia, and Greene counties. Information on the metrics used to determine when a region is eligible to resume business activities can be found at https://forward.ny.gov

WORKPLACE SAFETY COVID-19 PROVISIONS

For essential workers on the frontlines during the coronavirus crisis, county leaders reiterated words of the New York State Department of Labor: “Governor Cuomo enacted a law that provides benefits — including sick leave, paid family leave, and disability benefits — to New York employees impacted by mandatory or precautionary orders of quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19. If your employer does not comply with this law, you have the right to file a complaint. If you work for a non-essential business, you may not be forced to go to the worksite or otherwise threatened if you do not work at a place other than your home.”

A set of reasons under which a complaint may be filed and a link for filing a complaint is available at https://labor.ny.gov/workerprotection/laborstandards/coronavirus-complaints.shtm

THREE TESTING CLINICS UPCOMING

Recently, the Columbia County Department of Health announced a pair of coronavirus testing clinics set for the John L. Edwards Elementary School in Hudson, the first on Wednesday, May 27th, and the second on Tuesday, June 2nd. On Sunday, a third clinic was set for Sunday, June 10th, at the Columbia County Fairgrounds in Chatham. Times are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for all 3 clinics. (further details for the fairgrounds location will follow).

“I would like to stress that although we are looking for individuals who are symptomatic for the Edwards clinics, or who have experienced symptoms in the recent past, we will gladly accept any essential worker who would like to be tested regardless of whether or not they have symptoms,” said Director Mabb. “The Chatham clinic will be open to everyone.”

Signup instructions and further instructions regarding the John L. Edwards clinics can be found on the Health Department’s webpage on the Columbia County website, or by calling 518-828-3358