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Public Health Reports
Every 3 years Washington County Public Health completes a Community Health Assessment and creates a Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) with the help of the Adirondack Rural Health Network (ARHN), Adirondack Health Institute (AHI) and our Healthy Community Coalition Partners.
The reports can be accessed by clicking the image below or you can visit our Health Reports Page.
Flu, RSV & COVID
New York State encourages all New Yorkers, especially parents and guardians of young children, should understand the common respiratory illnesses that typically spread during fall and winter, and how to protect themselves and their families.
Learn more here: NYSDOH Flu RSV COVID info
Due to Extreme weather expected on Saturday, February 4th, 2023, Winterfest has been Rescheduled to Saturday, February 25, 2023. (Weather Permitting.)
Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention- Middle Falls Fire- Registration Open
Washington County Public Health, in collaboration with the Office for the Aging & Disability Resource Center and other Community Partners, is once again offering the “Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention” program.
Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese practice of slow, continuous, whole body movements, strung together in a “form.” Like dance, the movements are learned and followed one after another, in a particular order. Tai Chi has been shown to increase strength, flexibility, sense of wellbeing, and balance. It has also shown to decrease pain in joints, stress, high blood pressure, falls and fall risks.
There are many types of Tai Chi, however medical studies have shown that practicing “Tai Chi for Arthritis” in particular reduces pain significantly, prevents falls for the elderly, and improves many aspects of health. For these reasons, Arthritis Foundations around the world have supported the program, including the American Arthritis Foundation. Also, the CDC (Center of Disease Control and Prevention) recommends “Tai Chi for Arthritis” on their official guide for falls prevention!
Feedback from previous students in Washington County include,
“My balance is better, arthritis improved. I’m amazed how a few moves can so change how one feels.”
“I am delighted to have much better balance and my legs are stronger.”
“This has helped with overall strength and balance. It has also loosened up some joints.”
“I feel more confident in my daily activities-less worried about falling.”
The Tai Chi for Arthritis class will be held on Mondays & Wednesdays, beginning Monday, March 6, 2023 at the Middle Falls Fire Department, 1034 State Rt 29, Greenwich, NY.
Choose between 2 sessions: 9:30am-10:30am OR 10:45am-11:45am.
You must register with Public Health before classes begin. Call 518-746-2400 ext. 3478 to register. Please leave your name and a phone number where you can be reached for a call back and registration confirmation.
About Tai Chi for Arthritis Classes:
- Everyone in the class will need to wear a mask.
- Classes are Taught by Certified Tai Chi for Arthritis Instructors.
- Classes are held 2 times a week, for 8 weeks
- Students will be given handouts to support what is covered in class, to help with practice at home.
- Classes are tailored to all abilities, any ability levels are welcome!
Washington County Public Health has partnered with local EMS, Police and Fire Departments to provide Reflective Safety Vests to Washington County Residents.
You are more likely to be seen when wearing a reflector than any color clothing. (See Chart for Colors and distances.)
Click here to get the Safety Vest Program:Safety Vest Program Flyer Opens a New Window.
What to Expect after Getting a COVID-19 Vaccine
COVID-19 vaccination will help protect you from getting COVID-19. You may have some side effects, which are normal signs that your body is building protection. These side effects may affect your ability to do daily activities, but they should go away in a few days.
Click the link below to learn more:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/expect/after.html
V-Safe
V-safe is a smartphone-based tool that checks in on you after your COVID-19 vaccination. Your participation helps keep COVID-19 vaccines safe — for you and for everyone.
If you got vaccinated in the last 6 weeks, you can participate in v-safe!
It takes just a few minutes to register and get started. All you need is your smartphone and information about the COVID-19 vaccine you received. This information can be found on your vaccination record card. If you cannot find your card, please contact your healthcare provider.
Learn More: https://vsafe.cdc.gov/en/
New York State Excelsior Pass and Excelsior Pass Plus
What is Excelsior Pass?
Excelsior Pass is secure, digital proof of your COVID-19 vaccination or negative test results.
Excelsior Pass:
- is only accepted in New York State by participating business and venues
- Available for negative test results (PCR Test or Antigen Test)
- does not include COVID-19 vaccination dates and dosage information
You can print your Excelsior Pass directly from the web portal, store the Pass to the New York State Excelsior Wallet on your smartphone, and/or add the Pass to supported mobile phone wallets.
What is Excelsior Pass Plus?
Excelsior Pass Plus is a secure, digital copy of your COVID-19 vaccination record or negative test results. Your Pass Plus provides safe access to your vaccination information, and includes vaccine type, site, and date of your vaccination, just like your paper CDC Card. It can also provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR Test Pass (valid until midnight on the third day after a test) or a negative COVID-19 Antigen Test Pass (valid for 6 hours from the time of a test). The inclusion of this health information enables interested New Yorkers to have a verifiable record of their COVID-19 vaccination history or negative COVID-19 test at their fingertips, for record-keeping and/or usage outside of New York State.
You can print your Excelsior Pass Plus directly from the web portal and/or store the Pass Plus to the New York State Wallet App on your smartphone.
Visit the New York State Department o Health's Website to learn more:
https://covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/excelsior-pass-and-excelsior-pass-plus
COVID Testing
You can try your Primary Care Provider or check out NYSDOH's COVID Testing site page. You can search for sites near your zipcode.
https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you
Washington County PCR Test Site
In coordination with Quadrant Biosciences, Washington County will host a COVID-19 test site (featuring the lab confirmed PCR test, results typically received 48 hours after the test) at Washington County Public Health, 415 Lower Main Street, Hudson Falls NY.
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:
*Do not brushed your teeth or used mouthwash for an hour before your test.
*Do not eat or drink anything, including mints, gum or lozenges or smoke or used smokeless tobacco products for 30 minutes before your test.
Schedule your appointment for your COVID-19 PCR test at our site by calling our Public Health Team at 518-746-2400!
"At-Home" Test Kits Available
We have COVID-19 "At-Home" test kits for pick-up available at a few of our Washington County Facilities, Monday-Friday during business hours (8:30am-4:30pm)
- Washington County Public Health, 415 Lower Main Street, Hudson Falls, NY 12839
- Washington County Municipal Center (Building B Entrance), 399 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828.
FDA Issues Shelf Life Extensions to Some "At-Home" COVID-19 Test Kits
- CARESTART "AT HOME" COVID-19 TESTS (These are the tests we distributed with the white / purple boxes)
- FDA Extension Letter: https://www.fda.gov/media/155636/download
- FDA Reference Letter w/ Lot #s: https://accessbio.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/CareStart-COVID-19-Ag-Home-Test_Exp-Date-Extension-Notification_01.pdf
- Note: Most of the CareStart tests we were allocated were CP21M42, set to expire MAY 2022, which have been extended to AUGUST 2022 (08/31/2022)
- IHEALTH "AT HOME" COVID-19 TESTS (These are the tests we distributed (and still are) with the white / orange boxes)
- FDA Extension Letter: https://www.fda.gov/media/157340/download
- iHealth Expiration Date Extension Lot # Search: https://ihealthlabs.com/pages/news#expiration
- Note: Most of the iHealth tests with Lot # 223CO20114 set to expire 07/13/2022, which have been extended to 1/13/2023. Lot # 222CO20121, with expiration date 7/20/22 have been extended to 1/20/2023.
Boiling Water and Emergency Disinfection
Information for Consumers
Boiling water is a very effective way to disinfect unsafe water and make it ready to drink, and the public may be directed to boil their water if a condition occurs that could contaminate drinking water with microbiological organisms. Boiling water sounds simple enough, but protecting yourself and your family can be more complicated than it first appears.
Basic Information for All Consumers
FAQ for Residents and Homeowners
Checklist for Residents and Homeowners (PDF, 155KB, 2pg)
2-1-1
2-1-1 is the one number to call to find or give help in Albany, Columbia, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Warren, and Washington counties.
2-1-1 is an easy-to-remember telephone number to call for free and confidential community referral that connects callers with resources providing food, shelter, rent assistance, clothing, child care options and other types of community assistance. Trained referral specialists are multi-lingual and available to help individuals find the help they need.
Whatever the need, the 2-1-1 Call Center has the information and expertise to make the right connections.
New York State Office of Mental Health COVID-19 Emotional Support Hotline
Are you experiencing anxiety due to the coronavirus emergency? Office of Mental health is there to help.
- Call: 1-844-863-9314
- Text: Got5 to 741741
- Visit : https://omh.ny.gov/
Addiction and Support
Addiction doesn’t take time off, and neither does the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS). If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction to alcohol, substances, or gambling, treatment is available all across New York State.
Smoking/vaping or the use of opioids or methamphetamines have an affect on your lungs. Continued use can make some NYers more vulnerable if exposed to COVID-19.
Call New York State’s Hopeline at 1-877-846-7369. Text: 467369.
The Hopeline is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
All calls are toll-free, anonymous and confidential.
Hopeline staff can answer your questions and help you find treatment in your area. Information and resources are also available on their website: OASAS.ny.gov
Economic Development
The Economic Development has posted important information related to State and Federal business help during CV-19 on their web page:
Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Support Initiative
The Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiver Support Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to providing free support services to caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Warren and Washington Counties is continuing to support and provide services to caregivers through alternative methods. Teleconferences, video chats, and telephone support are being offered for support groups, care consultations, and educational workshops.
Caregivers who are looking for support are encouraged to contact their Care Navigator for more information. Click here to visit the initiative’s website for a contact list.
ServNY
ServNY is New York States’ standardized volunteer registration program for disasters, and public health emergencies. Its goal to help local Volunteer Coordinators and the State Volunteer Coordinator manage events and to eliminate issues that arise when mobilizing healthcare and nonhealthcare volunteers during an emergency response.Licensed health care professionals willing to respond to a disaster—either locally, statewide, or across the nation—are strongly encouraged to register with ServNY.
Registering before the need arises is important, as credentials are verified upon registration and periodically thereafter. This helps to ensure that when a community needs extra hands, those hands are qualified to provide the appropriate care.
To register for ServNY, go to https://apps.health.ny.gov/pub/servny/ Opens a New Window.Contact Us
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Tina McDougall
Director Of Public Health
Alyssa Arlen, MSN, RN
Director of Patient Services
415 Lower Main St.
Hudson Falls, NY 12839
Ph: 518-746-2400
Ph: 800-624-4221
Fax: 518-746-2461