Gossips reported last week that the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) had rated the risk of contracting COVID-19 in Columbia County as HIGH. Today, a press release from Matt Murell, chair of the Columbia County Board of Supervisors, makes it sound as if that rating were a new thing. The following is quoted from the press release.
As of Thursday, per the CDC, Columbia County’s rate of new COVID-19 cases is now in the high risk category.
Also as of Thursday, the CDC-reported current average of new daily cases per 100,000 of population stood at 26.9. The positive test rate is 15.9 percent.
The county Department of Health reported 73 new cases on Monday, 44 Tuesday, 57 Wednesday, 26 Thursday, and 24 as of midday today. There are currently 20 individuals hospitalized and there have been two deaths this week.
Although New York State has lifted the mandate for mask wearing while inside a business, local health care officials continue to encourage the wearing of masks while indoors, particularly for those with health problems.
The following two maps are from the CDC website. The first is from last week; the second shows the state of things this week.
The significant change is that now the area of high risk extends across the river and all the way down to Westchester County.
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The masks are off, and the young at least are partying like its no tomorrow in packed bars when the music blaring (totally understandable of course). Covid is never going away. Get used to it. Olds need to get used to social isolation, particularly those with organs not up to 100%, or run the risk of being subjected to the torture of a hospital or worse. If you are at once vulnerable and a risk taker, I suggest that the 12534 zip code is not the best one to live in. Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteAnd an idiotic one.
ReplyDeleteI know I've said this before but this data would be a little bit more useful to the average citizen if it broke out the new cases and deaths by age group and patient status, such as hospital inpatient, nursing home resident, at home, in school, etc. Nothing, of course that would violate HIPAA rules. But that's just me.
ReplyDeleteColumbia County, with so many visitors, and Hudson in particular is very vulnerable - plenty of hot spot restaurants and bars jamming. I'm not surprised it's the reddest dot on the map. The vaccinations made everyone feel better about it but it's obvious it's not perfect so yes, if you feel vulnerable, mask up and want to protect other people, mask up.
ReplyDeleteMy question to Jennifer would be How do you know, from the data presented, that these cases emanated from "hot spot bars and restaurants in Hudson"? How do you know they weren't coming from Nursing Homes or schools or both?
DeleteWith such vague information we are left to a guessing game of sorts. Statistics do point to the 60+ club being the most vaccinated. It stands to reason they're not bar hoping as much either especially under the circumstances. If you visit a market, overall the mature are wearing masks. At least, that's my observation. I can't vouch for the night spots because someone my age avoids them. Will not even step into a dine-in restaurant with the numbers rising this much. Maturity and common sense I guess. Since the vaccines weaken, what choice is there if you don't want to take your chances getting sick? It's ridiculous we're not informed!
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