Rensselaer County considers test halt
RENSSELAERCOUNTY, N.Y. » With less COVID-19 testing occurring in the county, officials are reviewing numbers this week to determine if the testing operations will continue in the county.
“We are fortunate that we have been able to test about 10 percent of our population for COVID-19,” Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin said on Monday. “When we were seeking testing partners this spring, the county had only tested just over 3,000 residents.
“Since then, there have been about 15,000 tests administered without a major jump in new cases.”
There has been a drop- off in residents seeking testing, and the county may temporarily halt testing for the foreseeable future, according to county officials. There has also been a reduction in the state mandate for nursing home workers to be tested.
Because of the costs associated, it may be prudent for a temporary halt in testing in the county, McLaughlin said. The county executive said it costs the county a couple hundred thousand dollars a month to operate.
The county had partnered with Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center for testing in recent weeks, but numbers for testing of county residents at WY also declined.
“This county fought to get testing to help navigate our reopen
ing. The information we have obtained during testing has been very helpful and demonstrated our county and region can reopen safely,” McLaughlin said.
The IMA Group and Lab Corp will continue to do testing at Hudson Valley Community College Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments are recommended and can be made by calling 1-800245- 4245.
There have been 15,099 tests administered to residents.
“We would advise residents who have not been tested and want to do so in this county to schedule an appointment without any unnecessary delay,” McLaughlin said.
A single case of COVID-19 has been confirmed to the Rensselaer County Health Department, it was announced on Monday afternoon. The single new case brings the total number of confirmed cases to 554 cases in the county.
Along with the new case, the county also announced 11 cases cleared for recovery. With the new case clearances, the county now has 22 active cases.
The new case includes: • A new case involving a 36-year-old Pittstown man.
There are now two residents in the hospital, with none in the ICU. There are now 75 residents in quarantine.
“You can’t get any more statistically insignificant than 22 active cases out of 160,000 residents in this county,” McLaughlin said.
“Right now, every single number looks fantastic,” McLaughlin added.
Meanwhile, the Rensselaer County Clerk’s office and the DMV office in Troy operated by the Clerk’s office will resume in-person service on Wednesday.
Both offices had been closed due to state order following the COVID-19 outbreak. Masks will be required at both locations for the time being, along with temperature checks. The county will have surgical masks available for visitors who do not have a mask.
The DMV at Troy will offer in- person services for licensing, permits and non- driver’s IDs and will be open from 8:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday through Friday. Any other transactions, including vehicle registrations, will continue to
be handled by a drop box at the Troy DMV. All visitors to the DMV in Troy are asked to enter through the first-floor entrance at the County Office Building, 1600 7th Ave., downtown Troy.
The Clerk’s office located at 105 Third Street adjacent to the County Court House will be open for most inperson services, but a prior call is needed before a visit to the office. The Clerk’s office will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
For pistol permits handled at the Clerk’s office, the office will continue to process amendments through the mail. For new permits, applicants are able to schedule an appointment at the office by calling 518-270
4171.
For the time being, there will be no DMV satellite offices in the county in operation. The main DMV location at the County Office Building in Troy will be the only location open for the foreseeable future. There will also not be late hours on Thursdays at the Troy DMV.
Overview of COVID-19 Cases: An overview of COVID-19 cases as confirmed to the Rensselaer County Health Department is now provided.
A breakdown by municipality:
Troy - 183
East Greenbush - 60 Nassau - 8 Brunswick - 25 Hoosick - 10
Sand Lake - 16 Schodack - 38 Stephentown - 8 North Greenbush - 49 Schaghticoke - 77* Pittstown - 14 Petersburgh - 3 Grafton - 5 Poestenkill - 3 Rensselaer - 47 Berlin - 3 (*Includes 59 at the Diamond Hill adult care facility in Schaghticoke) A breakdown by age: 19 and under - 37
20 to 29 - 109
30 to 39 - 97
40 to 49 - 58
50 to 59 - 80
60 to 69 - 67
70 to 79 - 56
80 to 89 - 23
90 to 99 - 22
100 - 1