Chairman’s press release

TUESDAY’S NUMBERS ‘DISCOURAGING’

After the Columbia County COVID-19 infection positivity rate dropped below four percent last week, it’s back up above that level as of Tuesday morning, said county Department of Health Director Jack Mabb. For comparison, the Greene County positivity rate is above seven percent, and Saratoga County stands at 2.6 percent.
There were 14 new cases recorded by the county DOH on Friday, six on Saturday, and 37 for Sunday-Monday- early today. Currently, four county residents are hospitalized, and one is in the ICU.
Of today’s 37 cases, seven are children. There is no particular cluster of cases evident among the 37.
Director Mabb said an FDA decision on a Moderna third shot is expected next week, while an answer on vaccinating children ages 5-11 should come soon.
UPCOMING PFIZER THIRD SHOT PODs
The Columbia County Department of Health is holding booster PODs for Pfizer vaccine recipients on Friday, October 15, and Friday, October 22, at Columbia-Greene Community College from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Note that this POD is only for individuals who received the full series of Pfizer vaccine and are at least six months out from their second dose. You will need to bring a photo ID along with your COVID-19 vaccination record card with you to the booster clinic. Walkups will be accepted but pre-registration is requested on the county DOH website.
Vaccination opportunities are posted on the county DOH website at columbiacountynyhealth.com
COVID-19 TESTING SITES (as of 8-2-2021)
Those seeking testing are advised to contact the site for insurance eligibility and testing hours.
New York State DOH, 888-364-3065. CMH Copake Rapid Care, call for appointment, 518-329-3902. CMH Valatie Rapid Care, call for appointment, 518-758-4300. WellNow Urgent Care, Hudson, 518-267-3496. CVS-Valatie, call for appointment, 518-758-2200. Pine Plains Pharmacy, online preregistration required, 518-398-5588. CareMount Medical Urgent Care, Rhinebeck. CVS-Red Hook, call for appointment, 845-758-9612.
Also, Community Care Physicians, Latham, 518-863-3600. Whitney Young, Albany, 518-465-4771. Priority 1 Urgent Care, Guilderland, 518-867-8040. Rite Aid-Colonie, 518-240-1456. Central Med Urgent Care, Albany, 518- 240-1456. Walgreens Rapid Testing, 518-426-2976. EmUrgentCare, Albany, Saugerties, West Coxsackie, Guilderland, 518-264-9000 for all locations.

SENIORS & HOMEBOUND RESIDENTS –
DO YOU NEED VACCINATION REGISTRATION HELP?
Columbia County Seniors and/or homebound residents in need of assistance getting themselves registered for the COVID-19 vaccine are encouraged to contact the county call center Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The telephone number is 518-697-5560.
COUNTY VACCINATION INFORMATION PHONE LINE
he Columbia County call center dedicated to helping those requiring assistance with vaccine registration is active Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The dedicated telephone number is 518-697- 5560.
AT-HOME COVID-19 TEST AVAILABLE
LabCorp currently offers an at-home COVID-19 test at https://www.pixel.labcorp.com/at-home-test- kits/covid-19-test-home-collection-kit. This test does not detect antibodies or immunity. It is designed to determine active infection with the virus that causes COVID-19.
After completing a short eligibility survey, choose a billing option, which can be through personal insurance, the use of federal funds to cover the cost of this test on your behalf if you’re uninsured, or with a credit card. The test kit will arrive via FedEx. After collecting and returning your sample, the average time to deliver results is one-two days from when your sample is received at the lab, according to LabCorp.
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 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.
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 or their Facebook page @:
https://www.facebook.com/Columbia-County-Department-of-Health-469399129790791. The coronavirus website, with up-to-the-minute information, can be located at https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home. Every Tuesday 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 Sheriff’s Office, the Department of Health, and the Emergency Management Office.