Columbia County Board of Health Update

As of 3 PM on May 7, 2020:

– We are sad to report that we have had a 17th Columbia County Resident that have passed away from COVID-19
-317 positive cases of COVID-19
-117 of the 317 cases have recovered from COVID-19
– 8 of the positive cases are hospitalized, 4 of those hospitalized are in the ICU
-We have received 1,987 test results completed for Columbia County residents
-177 residents are under mandatory quarantine and 13 under precautionary quarantine

Columbia County Update

FROM: Chairman Matt Murell

WHITTIER, FIREMEN’S HOME REQUEST TEST KITS

In response to the Columbia County Department of Health’s offer of testing kits earlier this week, Whittier Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing Center in Ghent and the FASNY Firemen’s Home in Hudson have made requests for the kits.

“Whittier has asked for 180 testing kits, which will be sufficient to test its current resident population of 113 and its staff,” said County DOH Director Jack Mabb on Thursday. “The Firemen’s Home has also asked for enough kits to test its residents and staff. Both facilities will have the kits they requested by the end of the day today.”

THE GRAND AT BARNWELL ADDS FIVE POSITIVE CASES

On Thursday, DOH Director Mabb reported five additional residents of The Grand at Barnwell have tested positive for COVID-19. That brings to 117, out of 216, the total residents that have tested positive. More than 20 staff have also tested positive. All residents and staff are being tested at the facility.

SLOTS FULL FOR FRIDAY’S TESTING CLINIC

As of Thursday morning, DOH Director Mabb said that all testing slots were full for the DOH/Columbia Memorial Health drive-through testing clinic scheduled for Friday, May 8th, at Columbia-Greene Community College. Upcoming testing clinics will be announced when scheduled.

~ 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.