CHAIRMAN’S PRESS RELEASE

MIGRANT WORKER OUTBREAK CONTACT TRACING COMPLETE

Columbia County Department of Health Director Jack Mabb said Monday that the DOH has completed contact tracing necessitated by last week’s migrant workers’ COVID-19 outbreak. “Additional testing of individuals who reside at the farm have come back negative, so it appears the outbreak is limited,” he added.

“It gets to be like a spider’s web, but over the weekend we completed the contact tracing related to last week’s COVID-19 cluster,” said Director Mabb, who reported that one additional worker’s test returned positive on Saturday. That brought to 11 the number of workers currently in mandatory quarantine because of the positive test results.

An additional 10 individuals are in mandatory quarantine because of their contact with those who tested positive.

“There is no indication that this outbreak presents a danger to the public at large. The Department of Health’s contact tracing efforts have shown us that the workers’ movements have been confined to the farm and the residence,” said Director Mabb.

SATURDAY’S CLINIC A SUCCESS On Saturday, the county Department of Health conducted a “successful” flu clinic at Columbia-Greene Community College, said Director Mabb.

“Out of the 102 who registered for the shot, 101 showed up,” he said.

Director Mabb pointed out it was a good exercise for the DOH as it prepares itself for the day when a COVID-19 vaccine becomes available. “That’s what the governor has asked us to do. I think we’re ready,” he said. T

he DOH has scheduled three additional flu clinics for October. Further information appears below.

UPCOMING COUNTY DOH FLU CLINIC SCHEDULE The Columbia County Health Department has announced a series of upcoming seasonal flu vaccine drive-thru clinics for all Columbia County residents two years old and up. Pre-registration is required for the date you wish  to be vaccinated – failure to register ahead of time will mean you cannot be vaccinated on that date. Each individual must complete a registration form, and photo ID is required for each adult. If you are sick with any symptoms associated with the flu or COVID-19 illness (fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, sore throat, chills, new loss of taste or smell, or extreme headache), do not go to the drivethru clinic. Instead, call your primary care physician or the DOH at 518-828-3358 for further guidance.

Clinic registration can be completed by visiting the DOH website at www.columbiacountynyhealth.com and clicking on the link for the specific clinic you wish to attend. Those with internet access are advised to call the registration line at 518-828-335d ext. 1310. Leave your name and phone number and a DOH staff member will contact you to complete your registration. 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.

The drive-thru clinic schedule is as follows:

 Thursday, October 8, 9-11 a.m., Palatine Park, Germantown.

 Saturday, October 17, 9-11 a.m., Ichabod Crane Central School, Valatie,

 Thursday, October 22, 10 a.m. – 12 noon, New Lebanon Town Hall, New Lebanon.

The flu vaccine will also be offered by appointment only at the regularly scheduled immunization clinic every Tuesday from 1-3:30 p.m. at the county DOH building located 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.

UPCOMING COVID-19 MOBILE TESTING CLINICS

Three COVID-19 testing clinics have been scheduled for October at the John L. Edwards Primary School in Hudson, said Columbia County Department of Health Director Jack Mabb on Thursday. 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.

The clinics will be held the following dates:

 Tuesday, October 13, 2020, from 9-11 a.m.

 Tuesday, October 20, 2020, from 9-11 a.m.

 Tuesday, October 27, 2020, from 9-11 a.m.

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