HUDSON–With the coronavirus bearing down on Columbia County, officials
including Department of Health Director Jack Mabb, Sheriff David Bartlett, Director of Emergency Management David W. Harrison, Jr., and Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell meet daily via conference call to assess the situation and to share information, according to a Saturday, March 28, press release from the Board of Supervisors chairman.
Officials recognize the tremendous work being done on the front lines of this crisis in such areas as
emergency services, health care, and those who are working to staff essential businesses.
“People are doing amazing work under the most trying of circumstances. We thank
them for their dedication and efforts,” Mr. Murell said in the release.
With calls coming into the county regarding the donation of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as N95 masks, face shields, and gowns, county officials advise those who want to make a donation to contact the Emergency Management Office at 518-828-1212. If no one answers, leave a message and someone will return the call.
“Due to the unavailability of PPE from the usual suppliers, we are working with emergency services and health care providers to obtain medical PPE from the New York State stockpile, but currently the process is limited, with only minimum amounts coming in delayed deliveries,” Mr. Harrison said.
Food donations should be directed to the county Office for the Aging (518-828-4258) and local pantries.
The county is also currently at work establishing a mechanism for accepting financial donations to assist with various needs in the fight against the coronavirus. Information on how to contribute will appear in a future press release.
County Board of Supervisors Chairman Murell continues to urge people migrating from New
York City to Columbia County to self-quarantine for 14 days.
“I can’t stress more the importance of this. We understand that people are coming here to escape the disease, but everyone should consider they are a carrier of the coronavirus,” he said in the release.
It remains 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 https://www.facebook.com/Columbia-County-Department-of-Health-469399129790791/
The county will issue a daily press release on the coronavirus situation every afternoon at 4. 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.
