County Executive McCoy Provides an Update on the
COVID-19 Response in Albany County
Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that as of this morning, there have been 1,864 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County to date, an increase of eight since yesterday. Additionally, there are now 145 people under mandatory quarantine and no one currently under precautionary quarantine. The five-day average for new daily positive cases is now 5.4. So far, 5,617 individuals have completed quarantine, with 1,829 of them having tested positive and recovered.
There have been no new COVID-19 related deaths reported since Tuesday, keeping the county’s total at 120 since the outbreak began. There are currently 7 individuals hospitalized, down from 9 yesterday. The hospitalization rate is now 0.37%, which is down from 0.48% yesterday. There is one person in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
“At the same time that the Capital Region is approaching Phase 4 of reopening the economy with tens of thousands of jobs in higher education, entertainment and more able to come back online, public health experts are already seeing states getting hit with a second wave of COVID-19. As businesses in places like Florida and Arizona voluntarily shutdown, families here are finally heading back to work,” said County Executive McCoy. “The only way we’re going to continue our forward momentum is if we continue to be cautious, wear masks and social distance while we return to a level of normalcy.”
County Executive McCoy is announcing the sixth week of the #AlbanyCountyStaySafe teen challenge in partnership with Albany PAL and AT&T, encouraging 13 to 18 year olds to demonstrate how they’re staying productive while also social distancing, avoiding large crowds and wearing masks. The week 6 challenge: Who’s the person behind the mask? With summer here, more of us are getting outside and we must wear a mask in public. Some of you are buying masks or creating your own to reflect who you are or send a message. Show us your mask as you are staying safe and following the social distancing guidelines if you’re out. Post a photo or video to Instagram with the hashtag “#AlbanyCountyStaySafe” by Saturday, June 27 at 11:59pm. Winners will be randomly picked and win $25 gift cards to a local business. The County Executive congratulates Week 4 winner Alison Powell who submitted a “green” post on recycling during COVID-19. (photo attached).
To date, the partnership with Whitney Young, Jr. Health Center has carried out 2,128 tests throughout the Capital Region. This week’s schedule for COVID-19 testing can be found below. The schedule is based on demand and mobile site locations are updated weekly based on that need. All testing is by appointment only, after being screened for symptoms over the phone. To be screened, please call (518) 465-4771.
Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center – 920 Lark Drive, Albany
• Wednesday – 8:30am – 10:30am
• Friday – 8:30am – 10:30am
Rotating Locations & Dates for the Week of June 22
The full updated schedule can be found at the Albany County website here.
• Tuesday, June 23, 9am – 11am
Watervliet Health Center, 1804 Second Ave, Watervliet
• Thursday, June 25, 9am – 1pm
Times Union Center, 51 South Pearl Street, Albany
County Executive McCoy continues to highlight the testing site in Albany County at Priority 1 Urgent Care, which is now also providing antibody testing, located in Hamilton Square at 2080 Western Avenue in Guilderland. The partnership was made possible by Albany County supplying the facility with critical personal protective equipment for the staff and supplemental test kits. Testing will be reimbursed by an individual’s health insurance, and will be done by appointments only after patients come in to be screened for expanded CDC symptoms. Priority 1 is also now doing antibody testing. To schedule an appointment, you can call (518) 867-8040.
County Executive McCoy also encourages those who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to register for the drive-thru community testing site at Rite Aid, 1863 Central Avenue in Colonie. Testing is free for those who are eligible based on CDC guidelines and are at least 18 years old. It’s available between 9am and 5pm, seven days a week by appointment only. Registration is now available at www.riteaid.com. Tests will be conducted from within an individual’s car with self-swab nasal tests and with the help of a pharmacist.
For those experiencing stress, anxiety or depression while confined to their homes for extended periods of time, the Albany County COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line is available seven days a week from 8am to 8pm at (518) 269-6634. Anyone experiencing a psychiatric emergency should still call the Albany County Mobile Crisis Team at (518) 549–6500. The 24-hour sexual assault hotline number is (518) 447-7716.