COVID-19 is a new coronavirus first detected in the Hubei Province in China in December 2019. With thousands of confirmed cases in China, the novel coronavirus has spread internationally to South Korea, Japan, Italy, and others, including the United States. International health organizations continue to learn more about this virus, including development of vaccines.  

Washington County’s Departments of Public Health and Public Safety in conjunction with County Administration are continuing to work closely with our state and federal health agencies to monitor the spread of the disease and act decisively to ensure we are as prepared as possible to keep Washington County safe and healthy.

I'VE TESTED POSITIVE OR BEEN EXPOSED, NOW WHAT?

Effective January 13, 2022, the New York State Department of Health has updated the Contact Tracing procedures and guidelines for COVID-19 Positive Cases and Exposures. Accordingly, contact tracing and case investigations in Washington County are following the state's new guidelines effective immediately. If you (or someone you know) has tested positive for COVID-19 or has been exposed to a COVID-19 positive case, read the NYS Contact Tracing & Case Investigation information and procedures here for further instruction: https://ny.gov/isolation-quarantine-guidance

I'VE BEEN QUARANTINED OR ISOLATED AND NEED RELEASE FORMS

If you've been quarantined or isolated as part of an exposure to a COVID-19 positive case or tested positive yourself and you (or your child) are preparing to return to work/school and are in need of official release forms, the New York State Department of Health has posted them on the site above, which you can also obtain by clicking here.

I'VE TESTED POSITIVE ON AN "AT HOME" COVID TEST

Beginning Saturday, January 8, 2022, Washington County Public Health will begin accepting online reports from those testing positive for COVID-19 on an "At Home" Rapid Antigen test that has received the Emergency Use Authorization from the FDA. If you have tested positive on one of the approved tests, complete your self-test report by clicking the button below:

STAY UP TO DATE AND INFORMED

As we continue to progress forward in the fight against COVID-19, our COVID-19 update messages will be posted weekly on Friday's, with additional updates being released as necessary based on case data and the updates of other pertinent COVID-19 related news / mitigation efforts.

CHANGE IN REPORTING OF STATISTICS (01/13/2021)

As our Public Health team transitions case investigations to the NYS VCC (Virtual Call Center), in alignment with Governor Hochul's announcement relative to contact tracing and case investigations, we will only be able to accurately report a portion of the previous case categories as our Public Health team will not be managing the full caseload and process as we have previously. In an effort to provide awareness to the number of active cases, hospitalizations and related deaths, effective beginning with the activity report for January 12, 2022, we will report those statistics noted below - in which the COVID-19 + Active Case number includes all cases currently active, even those that have been received, are pending and have yet to be investigated or processed. The Active Case number will include those "At Home" tests that are officially reported to our Public Health team using our reporting portal on our website, as well as any COVID-19 Rapid Antigen or PCR tests processed through a lab or official testing site. Due to other changes in the case investigation process (initiation of abbreviated investigation process by NYS) not all the same information is being collected, we will no longer report on local breakthrough cases and will no longer be regularly publishing the Cases by Town map.

CASE STATUS IN WASHINGTON COUNTY

Case Status data updated:  05/13/2021 12:20 PM

_{*Privacy note: While we understand many in our communities would like to know more specific information about the COVID-19 positive patients and their locations, due to privacy regulations coupled with the county’s privacy policy, Washington County will not routinely release specific identifying information about patients (i.e., age, location) unless it aids in the Public Health investigation and identification of additional PUIs. Please remember, the identified PUIs and COVID-19 patients are under quarantine for 10 days from the date of exposure and are not out in the public. Public Health conducts a public health investigation on every COVID-19 positive patient and makes notification to those identified as having close personal contact with a COVID-19 positive patient.}

NOTES ON RECENT CASE ACTIVITY

As of Friday, May 13, 2022, there were a total of 131 active COVID-19 + cases in Washington County that have been reported through official channels (labs, official testing sites, county's "At Home" portal), of the 131 active cases there are 15 who are currently hospitalized. We are saddened to report an additional COVID-19 related death of a member of one of our communities, a resident in their 70's - our lost resident had recently been hospitalized and had not been vaccinated. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends and the caregivers of our lost community member. Due to the continued elevated levels of COVID-19 in our communities, we are encouraging everyone to be aware, alert and vigilant.

MESSAGE FROM YOUR PUBLIC HEALTH TEAM

Our Public Health team continues to encourage everyone in our communities to STAY HOME if you're not feeling well and GET TESTED. Based on the continuing increase in cases in our communities and Washington County continues to be in the HIGH "COVID-19 Community Level", our Public Health team is strongly encouraging everyone in our communities to utilize the strategies listed in the below chart from the CDC, which includes but is not limited to the following:

• Wearing a mask indoors in public
• Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines
• Getting tested if you have symptoms
• Taking additional precautions (as necessary)

We strongly encourage, support and respect those in our communities who choose to wear a mask and encourage anyone in public indoor settings to consider masking. Our Public Health team remains committed to meeting the needs of our community in the fight against COVID-19 - we continue to provide community and organizational communicable disease support, offer vaccination and testing options weekly, which are posted on our website at washingtoncountyny.gov/coronavirus.

CDC  "COVID-19 COMMUNITY LEVEL TOOL"

Recently the Center for Diseases and Control released a new tool for monitoring the measurement of the impact of COVID-19 illness on the health and healthcare systems on a county by county basis nationwide. The COVID-19 by County tool allows the user to select the location by state and county and identifies the county by Community Level consisting of three categories (Low, Medium and High) and provides prevention steps by level accordingly. Know Your COVID-19 Community Level by using the CDC's interactive tool and check the recommended prevention steps / measures here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/covid-by-county.html

IN NEED OF A COVID-19 "AT HOME" TEST KIT?

We have COVID-19 "At Home" test kits for pick-up available at a few of our Washington County facilities in Fort Edward Monday-Friday during business hours (8:30 AM - 4:30 PM). 

TEST KIT PICK-UP LOCATIONS

• Washington County Municipal Center (Building B entrance)
• Washington County, NY Public Health Department

In need of kits for your organization? Reach out to us by phone at (518)747-7520 Ext 1 or by email at publicsafety@washingtoncountyny.gov for further information.

WASHINGTON COUNTY HOSTS COVID-19 PCR TEST SITE

Our Washington County, NY Public Health Department team in coordination with Quadrant Biosciences, continues hosting a COVID-19 test site (featuring the lab confirmed PCR test, results typically received 48 hours after the test) at our Washington County Public Health (415 Lower Main Street, Hudson Falls). 

Testing will be BY APPOINTMENT ONLY Monday-Friday at our Public Health office based on appointment availability.

After you have scheduled your test by calling our Public Health team at (518)746-2400, you should get an email from Quadrant with a link to create a profile.  Please complete your profile before showing up to the test site!

The test is an oral swab. Please remember the following:

Schedule your appointment for your COVID-19 PCR test at our site by calling our Public Health team at (518)746-2400!

COVID-19 VACCINATION EFFORTS / INFORMATION

SYMPTOMS

The 2019 novel coronavirus may cause mild to severe respiratory symptoms like:

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Chills
• Repeated shaking with chills
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell
• Runny Nose
• Fatigue
• Abdominal Pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Altered Mental Status / Confusion
• Chest Pains
• Seizures

The CDC believes at this time that symptoms may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus. If you are experiencing symptoms and may have traveled to areas of concern, or have been in contact with somebody who has traveled to areas of concern, contact your health provider by phone immediately.

COVID-19 TESTING SITES & INFORMATION

Testing sites for COVID-19 can be found by searching the state’s COVID-19 testing site here: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you 

PREVENTION

These simple steps can help stop the spread of this and other respiratory viruses:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

HOW YOU CAN HELP - VOLUNTEER & DONATION PROGRAM

• NYS COVID-19 Volunteer & Donation Assistance Program

PUBLIC / COMMUNITY INFORMATION

• NYSDOH Coronavirus Hotline: 1-888-364-3065
• Know the Facts About COVID-19 and Help Stop the Spread of Rumors
• CDC COVID-19
• NYSDOH COVID-19
• US Food and Drug Administration COVID-19
• Saratoga, Washington, Warren County COAD (Communities Organizations Active in Disasters) Situation Report

SPECIALIZED INFORMATION

• Child Care and Schools
• Businesses
• Travelers
• Managing Anxiety & Stress associated with COVID-19
• Talking with Children about COVID-19
• NYS Mental Health Support Line for COVID-19: (844)863-9314

CYBERSECURITY INFORMATION ON COVID-19

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) warns individuals to remain vigilant for scams related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Cyber actors may send emails with malicious attachments or links to fraudulent websites to trick victims into revealing sensitive information or donating to fraudulent charities or causes. Exercise caution in handling any email with a COVID-19-related subject line, attachment, or hyperlink, and be wary of social media pleas, texts, or calls related to COVID-19.

CISA encourages individuals to remain vigilant and take the following precautions.

• Avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails and be wary of email attachments. See Using Caution with Email Attachments and Avoiding Social Engineering and Phishing Scams for more information.
• Use trusted sources—such as legitimate, government websites—for up-to-date, fact-based information about COVID-19.
• Do not reveal personal or financial information in email, and do not respond to email solicitations for this information.
• Verify a charity’s authenticity before making donations. Review the Federal Trade Commission’s page on Charity Scams for more information.