Tuesday, May 3, 2022

Chairman’s press release

COVID-19 CASES SHARPLY RISE COVID-19 cases and upcoming vaccine clinics

Columbia County Department of Health Director Jack Mabb reported today that as of mid-day, 51 county residents had tested positive for COVID-19, while 67 were reported positive for Saturday-Sunday-Monday.

There are currently 12 individuals hospitalized, with two in the ICU and intubated, he said.

“These numbers reflect what is going on across the state and in the Northeast. They are very troubling,” said Director Mabb. “I remain cautiously optimistic that these numbers will go down as we move into warmer weather. But it’s clear this virus isn’t going away anytime soon.”

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 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.

The DOH is also holding a vaccine clinic on Saturday, May 7 at the Hudson Firehouse, 77 North 7th Street, from 9- 11 a.m. All brands and all doses are available, including the pediatric Pfizer vaccine for ages 5-11. There is a link for this clinic for second boosters only, and individuals 50-plus who are seeking their second booster dose are encouraged to use the link to register, or call the number above if unable to register themselves. All other doses will be on a walk-in basis. Transportation is being offered for the May 7 clinic in Hudson by the Columbia County Office for the Aging. Transportation can be scheduled by contacting the OFA at 518-828-4258, option 1 or extension 2129.

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, April 30, 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 3,986. Fourth shots (boosters) of Moderna or Pfizer now number 246. 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.

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.

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.