From the Columbia County Board of Supervisors

CHAIRMAN’S PRESS RELEASE

A mother with COVID-19 sends her child to school. “We thought it would be fine to have a friend in,” says a couple that had observed safe virus precautions since March, but have now both tested positive as a result of the visit. Several churchgoers turn up COVID-19 positive after attending services at which the congregation is not required to wear masks and social distance.

In turn, these types of actions provide the coronavirus a major assist in its effort to work its way through the community. As of Monday morning, Columbia County has 79 active COVID-19 cases (705 overall), with 376 individuals in mandatory quarantine.

“That is a huge number to have in mandatory quarantine and is extremely difficult for my department to track on a daily basis,” said Columbia County Department of Health Director Jack Mabb. “This is nothing like where we were back in the spring, when the virus first got rolling. Meanwhile, Thanksgiving is coming and community spread is already creeping up. We’ll hit a two percent rate by December at this rate. Much of this comes from people acting irresponsibly.”

Irresponsible behavior comes with consequences. Apart from the health ramifications, the impact a 14-day mandatory quarantine — which can be applied to anyone with a disease and those affected by that person — can have on one’s life could prove potentially disastrous financially and otherwise.

Under long-established New York State Public Health law, the standard for a mandatory quarantine is applied when someone “may pose an imminent and significant threat to the public health resulting in severe morbidity or high mortality.” The duration of the order is set by circumstances, in other words, an established determination that the person is no longer contagious.

“This is not something we’ve made up in Columbia County,” said county Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell. “The state law for quarantining is serious and is a mandated part of the county Health Department’s work. It is not something that can simply be ignored or otherwise disregarded.”

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.

Future clinics at the John L. Edwards Primary School in Hudson will be held on Tuesdays November 10 and 17, and December 1. All clinics will be held from 9-11 a.m. 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.

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.

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 press release on the coronavirus situation Monday, and Thursdays. 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.