Sarah Trafton is reporting for Columbia-Greene Media the number of cases of COVID-19 diagnosed among those incarcerated in state prisons located in Greene County are on the rise. Approximately 43 percent of Greene County's 88 active cases, are attributed to the two state prisons in Coxsackie. Of the 36 new cases reported, all but four were linked to the correctional facilities. The state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision reported five cases at Coxsackie Correctional on March 10, and 35 at Greene Correctional Facility. An additional 14 tests at Greene Correctional were pending. Four people have died from COVID-19 at Coxsackie Correctional. Visitation has been suspended at DOCCS facilities statewide since December. Columbia County last week reported its first cases of the U.K. strain of COVID-19. Greene County Legislature Chair Patrick Linger said he was unsure if the U.K. strain has been found in Greene County. “I don’t think it changes the way anyone’s behavior should be,” Linger said. “If someone is positive, they have to isolate regardless of what strain.” Greene County Administrator Shaun Groden said, “I was aware of the U.K. strain in Columbia. My public health [department] has not advised me of such. ...” Greene County Public Health is gearing up for its biggest vaccine POD to date this week, Linger said. The county is anticipating the receipt of about 1,500 vaccines, he said. They will be distributed at the Community Life Church in Catskill, Linger said; the date will depend on when the vaccines arrive. “Our emergency manager [Dan King] believes we have the capacity there to do 500 people an hour, but we don’t have anywhere near that kind of supply,” Linger said. “We have the space, we have a plan, we have the people, we just need the vaccine.” Residents can register online at the county website, greenegovernment [dot] com, or call 518-822-9600 to receive the vaccine. A total of 67 county residents have died from the virus and five residents are currently hospitalized. More than 200 residents were on quarantine as of March 11. Read the full story at HudsonValley360 [dot] com.