Friday, May 27, 2022

Chairman’s press release

DOH DIRECTOR: ‘NICE DROP OFF’ IN NEW CASES

COVID-19 cases

As of Thursday, per the CDC, Columbia County’s rate of new COVID-19 cases remains 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 43.7. The positive test rate is 14.7 percent.

The number of new positive cases in Columbia County fell this week, down to 152 from 229 from last week, Columbia County Department of Health Director Jack Mabb reported today.

“It’s a nice drop-off,” said Director Mabb. “That’s the first we’ve seen in about two months. I’m hopeful that’s the direction we’re headed.”

There were 14 new cases Thursday, with 10 as of noon today. Sixteen individuals are hospitalized and one is intubated.

Director Mabb pointed out that that the county DOH administered 37 vaccines last week and 43 this week. “We’re around 91 percent of people who’ve had at least one shot. I think some of that remaining nine percent is drifting in.” Information on future DOH vaccine clinics can be found below.

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

Monkeypox

Director Mabb reported today that he has been on a number of recent conference calls with the New York State Department of Health regarding monkeypox.

“They want us to be aware but not overly concerned with monkeypox,” he said. “One thing is, it’s not Covid and it doesn’t spread like Covid. Contact needs to be long-term for transmission, such as sleeping in the same bed with someone.”

Director Mabb said the Columbia County DOH is “watching it and collecting information. We recognize we’re in a unique position with the constant influx of folks from New York City, and we could see a case show up, but we’re not overly concerned. We continue to monitor monkeypox and continue to work with state health on it.”

County vaccination and infection rates

As of Saturday, May 22, the Columbia County Department of Health had administered 11,284 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Second doses now number 9,563. 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 4,022. Fourth shots (boosters) of Moderna or Pfizer now number 512. 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:

45,576 have received at least one dose, or 76.1 percent of the county’s 59,916 population.

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 June. All vaccines are available on a walk-in basis. For additional information, contact the county DOH at 518-828-3358.

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.