HUDSON—So far 37 Columbia County residents have died of the coronavirus, according to figures provided by the Columbia County Department of Health (DOH) as June 15 at 3 p.m.
The DOH reports Columbia County has 422 confirmed positive cases of the virus with 39 active cases of Covid-19 currently in the county; 346 of the 422 cases have recovered from the virus; 11 of the positive cases are hospitalized, none of those hospitalized are in the ICU.
County will no longer report tests results
County Department of Health Director Jack Mabb said in the June 15 county-issued coronavirus update press release that the county will discontinue what has become an impossible task of trying to determine the total daily number of tests performed for Covid-19 on county residents.
In an effort to push results out quickly to local health departments and providers, the state is “auto-batching.
“This produces duplicate test results reported in multiple batches. To break these down would require hours of sorting, time we don’t have,” Director Mabb said in the release.
Further complicating the usefulness of the total daily testing numbers is the requirement that nursing homes test their staff weekly. “This testing is distorting the numbers. Nursing home staff will be tested four times a month whether they have symptoms or not,” Mr. Mabb said.
The best source for current testing statistics is:
https://health.data.ny.gov/Health/New-York-State-Statewide-COVID-19-Testing/xdss-u53e.
Director Mabb said that at this time county Health Department numbers show a 1-17 infection rate within the county. At the recent testing clinic held at the Columbia County Fairgrounds, 113 were tested, with zero positive results.
“This is clearly a result of the social distancing measures being practiced by Columbia County residents. The good news we’re receiving regarding the overall infection rate and testing results indicate the hard-work done by residents to limit the spread. It’s important that we all continue to do our best to restrain the spread of the virus here,” county Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell said in the release.
Governor Cuomo has threatened to re-impose lockdown restrictions and other anti-coronavirus measures in areas of the state where Covid-19 has shown signs of re-emerging, Chairman Murell noted.
Testing Tuesdays at John L. Edwards
Tuesday, June 16 from 9 to 11 a.m., and for the remaining Tuesdays in June, the Columbia County Department of Health will conduct testing clinics at the John L. Edwards Primary School, 360 State Street, Hudson. There is no need to exhibit symptoms and registration is not required.
County extends state of emergency
On Monday, county Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell said that the county’s state of emergency, scheduled to expire today, has been extended through July 15.
County buildings are now open to the public. “Buildings will be staffed at 50%, with virus-related safety precautions in place for both employees and the public. Nonetheless, it is good to see some restoration of normal business activity,” said Chairman Murell.