CHAIRMAN’S PRESS RELEASE

STATE TO SUPPLY DOH WITH SCHOOL SPECIALIST

Columbia County Health Department Director Jack Mabb learned this week that New York State will be offering, at its expense, a School Investigation Specialist to perform COVID-19 contact tracing within county schools. The position is currently considered full-time for a period of one year, with the possibility of extension as needed. The state will hire for the position.

A key responsibility of the position will be to act as a liaison and partner to schools and organizations and local health authorities to maximize the Contact Tracing Initiative’s Outreach.

“Our COVID-19 team is anticipating a big spike in contact tracing once the schools are open. This position will be a valuable resource for the DOH and schools. It’s a good idea overall and I’m certainly grateful for the free position,” said Director Mabb.

“I think everyone has concerns with someone new coming into our system, so when I learned of this position, I took the idea to my staff. To a person, they were adamantly in favor,” he added.

SUNDAY TESTING CLINIC SCHEDULED

Palatine Park in Germantown on Sunday, September 13, from 9-11 a.m. will be the site of the next county DOH coronavirus drive-thru clinic. Spots currently are available. Preregistration is required via the following link: https://forms.gle/prdrJdtbaxj8um76A

If you do not register ahead of time, you cannot be tested at this clinic.

Please bring a photo ID. If you are symptomatic, you will be expected to quarantine until your test results are received. You will be contacted with your results by the health department of your county of residence. Results can take up to five to seven days to be received by the local health departments. Please note that this test will be in the form a nasopharyngeal swab and is not an antibody test.

RECENT CLINIC YIELDS ALL NEGATIVE RESULTS

At the most recent county DOH coronavirus testing clinic conducted at the John L. Edwards Primary School, 68 individuals were tested with zero positive tests reported. “That was really good to see,” said DOH Director Mabb. “I think it points to the fact that the vast majority of county residents are doing the right thing regarding mask wearing and social distancing. What remains critical is that these practices continue because I don’t think we’re anywhere near out of the woods with this virus yet.”

FREE HAND SANITIZER FOR COUNTY BUSINESSES, ORGANIZATIONS

On Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9 a.m. and 12 noon, any municipal or private agency/organization that would like free NYS hand sanitizer can come to the Public Safety Facility (PSF) parking lot at 85 Industrial Tract, Hudson, where they will receive up to two cases (eight gallons) of hand sanitizer per week based upon the size and need of the organization. Small spray bottles of hand sanitizer will also be available. “I would like to remind everyone that the hand sanitizer, which is provided to us by the state, can only be handed out to Columbia County businesses, non-profits, and municipal/governmental agencies,” said county Emergency Management Director Harrison. Those coming to the PSF for hand sanitizer should enter the north entrance (NYS DOT side) of the PSF parking area, and drive to the white “Sheriff’s” utility trailer in front of the building. Emergency Management and Sheriff’s Department staff will dispense the hand sanitizer at that point.

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:

 Wednesday, September 23, 9-11 a.m., Roe Joe Library, Route 22, Hillsdale.

 Wednesday, September 30, 9-11 a.m., Columbia County Fairgrounds, Chatham.

 Saturday, October 3, 9 a.m. – 12 noon, Columbia-Greene Community College upper parking lot, Hudson.

 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.

COUNTY STILL ACCEPTING MASK DONATIONS

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]

OTHER 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. 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. 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.