CHAIRMAN’S PRESS RELEASE

GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES RESTRICTIONS AMID SURGE

On Wednesday, Governor Cuomo issued new COVID-19 restrictions on bars, restaurants, gyms and residential gatherings in New York State.

Meanwhile, in Columbia County, “COVID-19 positive cases in the County continue to mount at a steady rate,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Murell.

On Thursday morning, County Health Department Director Jack Mabb reported 10 new positive cases, with 225 in mandatory quarantine. There are currently 109 active cases in the county, with 27 hospitalized and two individuals in ICU. Eighteen new cases were reported on Wednesday.

Under the governor’s directive, effective Friday at 10 p.m., bars, restaurants, and gyms or fitness centers, as well as any State Liquor Authority-licensed establishment, will be required to close from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily. Restaurants will still be allowed to provide curbside, food-only pick-up or delivery after 10 p.m., but will not be permitted to serve alcohol to go. The State Liquor Authority will issue further guidance for licensees as to what sales are continued to be permitted.

Further, indoor and outdoor gatherings at private residences will be limited to no more than 10 people. The limit will be implemented due to the recent prevalence of COVID spread resulting from small indoor gatherings including Halloween parties. These gatherings have become a major cause of cluster activity across the state. Further, this public health measure brings New York State in line with neighboring states including Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. This new rule is also effective Friday at 10 p.m.

“We are now definitely in the beginning stages of the surge that health officials have predicted for months,” said Chairman Murell. “We can only hope that this most recent action by New York State is as restrictive as it gets. It is up to all of us to wear our face masks, wash our hands, and social distance in an effort to keep the number of positive cases from rising.”

In response to the new state-mandated limit on gatherings in private residences, Chairman Murell added, “Columbia County officials have no intention of randomly monitoring people’s homes.”

Earlier this week, the county Emergency Operations Center was activated in response to the increase in positive cases. “We’re now in a situation that equals or exceeds that of this past spring. We’re setting records on active cases and mandatory quarantines and I don’t see an end to it anytime soon. We can only do whatever we possibly can to slow things down,” said county Emergency Management Director David Harrison, Jr.

CORONAVIRUS TESTING SITES

New York Testing Site, University at Albany. By appointment only at 888-364-3065 or www.covid19screening.health.ny.gov; WellNow Urgent Care, 446 Fairview Avenue, Hudson. 518-267-3496. May be out-of-pocket costs; Columbia County Department of Health. 518-828-3358. Check www.columbiacountynyhealth.com for scheduled walk-up and drive-thru clinics; Greene County Department of Health. 518-719-3600. By appointment only on Wednesdays from 5-6:30 p.m.

Also, Community Care Physicians, Latham. 518-863-3600. 12-7 p.m.; Priority 1 Urgent Care, Guilderland. 518- 867-8040; Whitney Young, Albany. 518-465-4771; Rite Aid, Colonie. 518-267-3496; CareMount Medical Urgent Care, Rhinebeck. 844-484-6564; Rapid Testing, Albany. 518-240-1456. Insurance is billed; Walgreens Rapid Testing, Albany. 518-426-2976.

UPCOMING COVID-19 MOBILE TESTING CLINICS

Future COVID-19 testing clinics by the county DOH remains at the John L. Edwards Primary School in Hudson, and will be on Tuesdays: November 17, and December 1 from 9-11 am The clinics are limited to 100 tests. Preregistration is not required. A form of photo identification will be necessary, and masks are required for entry. These will be nasopharyngeal swabs which are useful in detecting the virus in actively sick people. The kits used at these clinics are part of those purchased with the help of private donations to Columbia County.

The clinics are limited to 100 tests. Pre-registration is not required. A form of photo identification will be necessary, and masks are required for entry. These will be nasopharyngeal swabs which are useful in detecting the virus in actively sick people. The kits used at these clinics are part of those purchased with the help of private donations to Columbia County.

Symptoms most typical of COVID-19 include fever, cough, trouble breathing, loss of taste or smell, as well as any symptoms consistent with CDC guidelines.

COUNTY DOH FLU SHOTS AVAILABLE

The flu vaccine will be offered by appointment only at the regularly scheduled immunization clinic every Tuesday from 1-3:30 p.m. at Columbia County Department of Health at 325 Columbia Street, Hudson. An evening immunization clinic is also available on the third Tuesday of each month from 4-6 p.m. All clinics are by appointment only.

The flu vaccine is the best protection we have from the flu and its complication, and has become even more critical in the time of COVID-19. Talk to your doctor before getting the flu shot if you have ever had a serious allergic reaction to eggs or a previous flu shot, or have a history of Guillain-Barre Syndrome.

The DOH accepts the following insurance plans: Blue Shield of North East New York, CDPHP, Fidelis, Medicare Part B, MVP, Medicaid, and United Health Care. Other senior plans may be billed, including some Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. If you are uninsured or underinsured, you may be eligible for a lower fee or no fee for the flu vaccine. All others are expected to pay a fee of $42 for the flu vaccine, with the exact cash amount or checks accepted. Debit or credit cards are not accepted.

DONATION INFORMATION

Masks: Those wishing to donate cloth masks to the county stockpile may contact the county Emergency Management office at 518-828-1212 or [email protected]. Or Supervisor Rob Lagonia at [email protected] 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 can 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.

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. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, the county 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 Board of Supervisors, Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Health, and the Emergency Management Office.