Columbia County Department of Health Update

Below you can find the breakdown of confirmed, positive cases of COVID-19 in Columbia County. We will be sharing this information each Friday afternoon going forward.PLEASE continue to practice social distancing.

By learning the towns of positive cases we don’t want anyone to feel a sense of false confidence that the virus is not in their community. In order to slow the spread, we need to stay vigilant on prevention measures no matter where the positive, confirmed cases reside.

Columbia County Update

FROM: Chairman Matt Murell

COUNTY CHAIRMAN TALKS METRICS

In recent days, Columbia County Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell and other county leaders have begun actively participating in a series of remote meetings that are addressing ways in which the local economy can be safely and effectively re-opened.

“We’re all looking at the metrics set out by the governor’s office, and they’re simply unattainable. To begin with, there has been no testing because there were no testing kits available. I think Columbia County is being unfairly penalized for the lack of testing. We are now beginning to ramp up our testing, fortunately, with many thanks to those who have donated funds towards the purchase of kits,” Chairman Murell said.

“The metrics need to include other factors. For instance, most of our case here in the county have come from nursing homes. We would like the governor to change the metrics to reflect this sort of thing,” he said.

Chairman Murell said that in a related example, Columbia, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Washington counties have a combined hospitalization rate equal to that of Albany County. Because of that, these four counties will be impacted by Albany County, with re-opening undoubtedly prolonged as Albany County figures are included as part of the Capital Region determination. A solution, he said, would be for the four counties cited here to be decoupled from Albany County when the metrics are applied.

COLUMBIA COMEBACK INITIAL MEETING SET

On Monday at 1 p.m., Columbia Comeback – the committee recently established by Chairman Murell comprising leaders from the local business and political world – will conduct its first meeting. The meeting is open to the public and can be accessed via a link on the Columbia Economic Development Corporation (https://www.columbiaedc.com) website.

“Columbia Comeback represents a significant step as local businesses prepare for opening,” said Chairman Murell. “Everyone recognizes the difficulties facing businesses as they attempt to get back on their feet – we hope that those looking forward to resuming business activities take advantage of this important resource.”

~ 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.