HUDSON—Thirty-seven residents of The Grand Rehabilitation and Nursing at Barnwell, 3230 Church Street, Valatie have now tested positive for Covid-19, Columbia County Department of Health Director Jack Mabb said in the county’s Friday, May 1 Covid-19 update press release.
Just seven Barnwell residents were reportedly positive on April 28.
“Barnwell is being proactive with testing for the virus as this situation develops—we do anticipate more positive cases. The positive cases are no longer limited to one unit of the facility. The home is making an effort to isolate those who are positive,” Mr. Mabb said in the release.
The first in-county nursing facility to experience a widespread outbreak of Covid-19, the Pine Haven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Philmont, has drawn kudos from the state and county Departments of Health (DOH) for its response to the virus. “Things appear to have leveled off at Pine Haven as they seem to have gotten a handle on their situation. Barnwell is the second Columbia County nursing home to be seriously affected by Covid-19,” said Mr. Mabb.
Columbia County DOH and New York State DOH will continue to monitor the situation at The Grand at Barnwell. Barnwell staff declined to comment, according to the county release.
As of May 1, 210 Columbia County residents had tested positive for Covid-19, out of the 1,391 administered tests to those exhibiting symptoms of the disease, Director Mabb reported.
As May 1 at 3 p.m., 13 deaths associated with the coronavirus have been reported county-wide. The county has 210 positive cases of the virus; 94 of the 210 cases have recovered from the virus; 14 of the positive cases are hospitalized, 6 of those hospitalized are in the ICU. The DOH has received 1,409 test results completed for Columbia County residents;145 residents are under mandatory quarantine and 16 under precautionary quarantine.
The DOH reports the following breakdown of confirmed, positive cases of Covid-19 in Columbia County: Ancram 5, Canaan 7, Chatham 9, Claverack 4, Clermont 4, Copake 4, Germantown 7, Ghent 16, Greenport 9, Hillsdale 8, Hudson 26, Kinderhook 22, Livingston 5, New Lebanon 3, Stockport 1, Stuyvesant 6, Livingston Hills 2, Pine Haven 35, Barnwell 37.
“Testing continues to show that one in seven tested are coming back positive. That’s been the case for weeks. It’s a useful number for us at the DOH to contemplate as we continue to work to understand the extent of the disease in our community. Numbers seem to vary as you look at counties around the state, but this is the number that we currently have to work with in Columbia County,” Mr. Mabb said in the release.
As a reminder, said County Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell said in the May 1 release, funeral homes are allowed to be open and conduct services “provided they follow the State guidelines.”
As part of the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, Columbia County Emergency Management asked community leaders in the human services and spiritual areas for help. They have formed a Family Assistance Network to provide information to assist county residents who may be dealing with someone close to them who passed away as a result of the Covid-19 virus.
Information on where someone can reach out for help is posted on the Columbia County website (www.columbiacountyny.com) and the Emergency Management Facebook page.
Anyone who wants to donate 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 there is no answer, 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 pantries.
Monetary donations for the purchase of much-needed equipment for emergency responders, medical personnel and others on the front lines of the coronavirus fight can be sent via check in care of Columbia County, with coronavirus noted in the memo field. Mail the check to the Columbia County Controller’s Office, 401 State Street, Hudson 12534. All money received is being placed in a dedicated account.
A hotline has been established for the elderly and vulnerable in the county, including those with medical conditions or who are disabled and would welcome a deputy checking on their well-being on a daily basis. The number for the hotline is 518-828-0601 X 1400.
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 at www.facebook.com/Columbia-County-Department-of-Health-469399129790791/. The state’s coronavirus website, with up-to-the-minute information, can be found at https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home.
