Columbia County Department of Health Update

As of 3 PM on May 4, 2020:

– We are sad to report we’ve had our 15th and 16th Columbia County Residents that have passed away from COVID-19
-226 positive cases of COVID-19
-102 of the 226 cases have recovered from COVID-19
– 12 of the positive cases are hospitalized, 4 of those hospitalized are in the ICU
-We have received 1,572 test results completed for Columbia County residents
-172 residents are under mandatory quarantine and 22 under precautionary quarantine

Columbia County Update

FROM: Chairman Matt Murell

COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT LOOKS AHEAD TO FRIDAY TESTING EVENT

This Friday, May 8th, the Columbia County Department of Health in partnership with Columbia Memorial Health will conduct the first of what is planned to be a series of COVID-19 testing clinics.

The clinic will take place by appointment only and is being held at Columbia Greene Community College as a drive-through event. Priority for testing will be given to individuals meeting the following criteria: fever, cough, difficulty breathing, loss of taste or smell, and any symptoms consistent with CDC guidelines.

Residents that meet the criteria for testing are asked to fill out the online screening form at https://forms.gle/afxfrFaDkrV7m1DF6. Once completed, the form will be evaluated by County DOH staff and residents will be prioritized for testing. CCDOH staff will call residents who qualify for testing and provide them with their appointment time and PIN number. The PIN number and a form of identification will need to be presented at the testing site. Residents being tested will stay in their vehicle at all times. Two registrants per car will be permitted.

Upon 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 — self-quarantine guidelines will be distributed at the collection site. It may take a few days to receive the test results. Everyone tested at the site will receive their results once processed.

Columbia-Greene Community College will serve as the testing site – the site will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. by appointment only. Law enforcement will be on hand to manage and direct traffic flow. Anyone coming to the site without an appointment will be instructed to leave the parking lot immediately.

Testing has been enabled “as a result of the incredible generosity of private donors. Through their generosity we’ve been successful in securing the purchase of 2,000 kits. To date the county has received 1,000 kits with the additional 1,000 kits expected in the coming weeks,” said county DOH Director Jack Mabb.

“Many of these kits have been provided to nursing homes, CMH rapid care, and first responders for employee testing”, added Mabb. One hundred of the kits will be used on May 8t for community testing, with the intention to perform additional community testing in the coming weeks.

SUMMER CAMPS

Columbia County officials, including those from the Department of Health, County Attorney’s office, and Chairman Matt Murell, have issued a strong recommendation that summer camps with children and counselors Matt B. Murell Chairman Kelly S. Baccaro Clerk Ronald L. Knott Deputy Chairman James J. Guzzi Deputy Chairman not operate during the COVID-19 crisis.

Chairman Murell said that the recent order from Governor Cuomo for schools to remain closed through the remainder of this school year offers strong support for the county’s decision. In late April, the county sought authority from the state DOH to issue an Executive Order closing the camps. A determination on that request has not yet been received from the state.

FINANCIAL DONATION CORRECTION

Sunday’s press release indicated that $1,000 had been received from Chase Bank in the county’s fight against the coronavirus. The $1,000 was actually donated by Angus Farm LLC, Ghent. We thank them for their donation.

~ 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.

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.

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.