For Immediate Release: Covid-19 Testing

Columbia County Department of Health in partnership with Columbia Memorial Health will be conducting the first of what is planned to be a series of Covid- 19 testing clinics.
The Friday, May 8th clinic will take place by appointment only and is being held at Columbia Greene Community College as a drive-through event.

Per Jack Mabb, Director of Public Health, “Our staff receives calls every day from people who want to be tested for the virus, but due to limited availability of obtaining testing kits it has not been possible”.

Director Mabb goes on to say that “as a result of the incredible generosity of several private donors we’ve been successful in securing the purchase of 2,000 kits. It was amazing that in a few days after discussing buying the kits we received the donations and were able to move ahead with the purchase of the kits. To date, the county has received 1,000 kits with the additional 1,000 kits expected in the coming weeks”.

Many of these kits have been provided to nursing homes, CMH rapid care, and first responders for employee testing. 100 of the kits will be used on May 8th for community testing with the intention to do more community testing in the coming weeks.

Given that Columbia County has a population of 63,000 residents, the 2,000 kits represent only a small part of that number that’s why Director Mabb says they want to prioritize individuals who have symptoms.

Priority for testing will be given to individuals meeting the following criteria:
-Fever
-Cough
-Trouble Breathing
-Loss of Taste or Smell
-and/or any symptoms consistent with the CDC guidelines

Residents that meet criteria for testing are asked to fill out the online screening form https://forms.gle/afxfrFaDkrV7m1DF6. Once completed, the form will be evaluated by CCDOH staff and residents will be prioritized for testing. On May 8th we will conduct 100 COVID-19 tests. CCDOH staff will call residents who qualify for testing and will provide them with their appointment time and pin number. Pin number and a form of identification should be brought with them to the testing site. Residents being tested will stay in their vehicle at all times. Two registrants per car will be permitted.

After leaving the test site, residents should drive directly home for mandatory quarantine until results are shared with them. Those who are tested should plan to self-quarantine for up to 14 days and will receive self-quarantine guidelines at the collection site. It may take a few days to receive the test results. Everyone who gets tested at the site will receive their results once they are processed by Wadsworth Laboratory in Albany.

Law enforcement will be on-site along with two clinicians from Columbia Memorial Hospital and EMS services.

The testing site will be located at Columbia-Greene Community College at 4400 NY-23, Hudson, NY 12534. The site will open 10 AM to 2 PM BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. There will be signage and law enforcement managing and directing traffic flow. Anyone coming to the site without an appointment will be directed to leave the parking lot immediately.

Columbia County Health Department Update

As of 11:30 AM on May 3, 2020:

– We are sad to report a 14th Columbia County Resident has passed away from COVID-19
-217 positive cases of COVID-19
-98 of the 217 cases have recovered from COVID-19
– 12 of the positive cases are hospitalized, 5 of those hospitalized are in the ICU
-We have received 1,529 test results completed for Columbia County residents
-153 residents are under mandatory quarantine and 22 under precautionary quarantine

Columbia County Update

FROM: Chairman Matt Murell

COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT GOES IN-DEPTH ON COVID-19 TESTS

When it comes to the different SARS CoV-2 tests that are out there, there are basically two types of testing currently available, said Columbia County Department of Health Emergency Preparedness Coordinator Chuck Kaiser on Sunday.

“One is biological testing for the virus, often known as ‘molecular’ testing and sometimes referred to as a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test. These types of tests will determine if you have the virus by detecting nucleic acids and DNA sequences. They are a snapshot in time. You could test negative today and a couple days later test positive,” Kaiser said.

The other type of test is known as a serological, or “antibody” test, he continued. These types of tests look for the presence of IgM and IgG antibodies. Under the basic rules of virology, IgM antibodies are found soon after someone has been exposed to the virus. They are the first line of defense in a battle, said Kaiser.

As the battle continues, IgMs are then joined by IgGs. As the body begins to win the war, IgGs become the most prominent. This gives one an idea of where the body is in its fight against the disease. High IgMs tend to indicate a recent and perhaps still current infection. High IgGs tend to indicate that the body has now overcome the virus and these soldiers are standing by in the event it presents itself again.

“However, this is if we can apply the normal virology rules to this virus,” Kaiser said. “Remember, this is a novel (new) coronavirus that we still don’t know a lot about. Each type of testing provides information for the patient and for public health officials. Molecular testing will tell the person if the symptoms they are experiencing are indeed COVID-19. They will tell public health officials that these individuals need to be isolated and anyone having close contact with them will need to be quarantined. This is a containment technique that helps slow the spread.”

“Serologic testing will advise the patient that they may have been exposed to the virus and they may have developed an immunity,” Kaiser added. “The ‘mays’ are noted because we can’t say for certain that this is true since it is a novel virus. As we learn more about this virus and additional information comes forth, this information will be helpful in deciding when and how to open up our communities.”

NEW FINANCIAL DONATIONS

Columbia County has received new monetary donations toward the purchase of additional coronavirus testing kits, Chairman Murell said Sunday. Prior donations from the public amounted to $29,405, he said. Matt B. Murell Chairman Kelly S. Baccaro Clerk Ronald L. Knott Deputy Chairman James J. Guzzi Deputy Chairman Since then, a total of $2,225 in new donations has been received: $300 from Victoria Bloom, Hudson; $25 from Donald Marshall, Hudson; and $50 from Pamela Klauber, Columbiaville. Also, $1,000 from Chase Bank; $100 from Kathy French-Costello, Elizaville; $150 from Maureen Moony, Valatie; $100 from David Miller, Ghent; and $500 from Holly Rappleyea, Valatie. “I can’t thank everyone enough for their generous support in the fight against the coronavirus,” said Chairman Murell.

SUNDAY’S STATEWIDE COVID-19 STATISTICS

As of Sunday morning, said county Director of Emergency Management David W. Harrison, Jr., New York State reported that 959,017 tests for COVID-19 had been administered statewide. Of that number, 312,977 yielded a positive result. There are currently 10,350 individuals hospitalized, with 831 newly hospitalized. At this time, statewide 18,909 have died from the virus.

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 and Emergency Management Facebook page. 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.

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 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. SELF-ISOLATION Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell continues to urge anyone migrating from outside Columbia County to self-quarantine for 14 days upon their arrival. “Everyone should consider they are a carrier of the coronavirus,” said Murell.

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 at 4. 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