Wednesday, November 4, 2020

CHAIRMAN’S PRESS RELEASE

MAJOR ONE-DAY SPIKE HITS COUNTY

In the largest one-day spike since the pandemic began, 22 new COVID-19 positive cases have been reported in Columbia County, said county Department of Health Director Jack Mabb on Wednesday.

Two new cases were reported at Ghent Assisted Living, Ghent, and one from The Grand at Barnwell, Valatie, with the remainder of new cases among the community. In addition, another resident of Ghent Assisted Living has died. Overall, in the county there have been six deaths from COVID-19 in less than three weeks.

Currently, with 77 active cases, 368 county residents are under mandatory quarantine. As of Wednesday, 25 were hospitalized, with two individuals on ventilators and one in ICU.

“Over the summer and until recently, there was a lot of talk about what the colder weather might mean in terms of community spread in regard to this virus,” said Director Mabb. “Well, we have it here now. It’s an exponential thing. All it takes is a handful of positive individuals who have a lot of contacts and who are good spreaders, and then we have the community spread like we have now.”

Added county Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell, “I think people let their guard down during the nicer weather. People saw that a majority of the cases recovered and hospitalization rates went down, but now all you have to do is look at the hospitalization rate, how many are in ICU, and the rate of deaths to know that the virus is as contagious and deadly as it’s ever been.”

“I’m very concerned what we might see in terms of new cases from Election Day activity and Thanksgiving,” said Chairman Murell. “If things continue at this rate, the hospital will be filled with COVID-19 patients and we may well wind up where we were back in the spring as far as state-mandated restrictions are concerned.”

“If people think they were being careful before about wearing a mask, social distancing, and hand washing, they need to do better now,” said Director Mabb. “Think about what you’re doing, about the position you are putting family and friends in by not being careful and not doing the right things.”

UPCOMING COVID-19 MOBILE TESTING CLINICS

One October COVID-19 testing clinic by the county DOH remains at the John L. Edwards Primary School in Hudson. Future clinics at the school 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.

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.