Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy held a briefing today on the county’s efforts to administer the COVID vaccine and control the spread of the Coronavirus. As of yesterday, 40.2% of Albany County’s population has received at least their first dose, and 26.4% has been completely vaccinated. That compares to the statewide first dose vaccination rate of 33%, and full vaccination rate of 20.4%. Starting tomorrow, vaccine eligibility will be expanded to anyone who is at least 16 years old.

The County Executive announced that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County has now climbed to 22,624 to date, an increase of 71 new positive cases since yesterday. The five-day average for new daily positives has decreased to 65.4 from 66.2. Please note that our overall case count will fluctuate as CommCare records are transferred in and out of the county. 

Among the new cases of Coronavirus, 23 had close contact with positive cases, 47 did not have clear sources of infection at this time, and one is a healthcare worker or resident of a congregate setting. There are now 596 active cases in the county, up from 591 yesterday. The number of people under mandatory quarantine decreased to 1,395 from 1,443. So far, 72,248 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 22,028 of them had tested positive and recovered. That is an increase of 67 recoveries since yesterday.

County Executive McCoy reported that there were three new hospitalizations overnight and there are now 24 county residents hospitalized from the virus – a net increase of one. There remain five patients currently in ICU’s, unchanged from yesterday. There are no new COVID-related deaths to report, and the death toll for Albany County stands at 366 since the outbreak began. For the briefing, the County Executive was joined by County Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen, along with Jammella Anderson, founder of the Free Food Fridge Albany, who he honored as the next Albany County Executive’s Citizen of the Month.

“The pandemic and economic fallout has devastated countless families across the country, and our minority communities have felt the worst of it. And while we’ve seen so much hardship over the last year or more, we also saw some of the best in our people. Jammella Anderson is one of those people, who stepped up to help us tackle hunger and food insecurity, one free fridge at a time and earned her spot on the cover of TIME Magazine,” said County Executive McCoy. 

“Jammella established the Free Food Fridge Albany in the middle of this public health and economic crisis, with refrigerators across the Capital Region that offer those most in need with an anonymous source of nutrition. She serves as a role model for others and her community, and I can’t think of a better person to honor as our next Citizen of the Month,” he continued.

PHOTO: Jammella Anderson (middle) holds proclamation presented by Albany County Executive McCoy (right), standing alongside County Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen (left).

For those who would like additional information on vaccinations and vaccination clinics at the Times Union Center, please use the link here. Those who would like to pre-register for a vaccine appointment through Albany County’s updated pre-registration tool, should use the link here. Residents who want to check their eligibility for the vaccine and sign up for a shot at a state-run facility should use the state's website at the link here or call the state vaccine hotline at 1-833-697-4829. For general information on the vaccine and eligibility, residents can also dial the United Way of the Greater Capital Region’s 2-1-1 hotline.

Walmart pharmacy locations in Albany and Glenmont and the Sam’s Club in Latham are offering appointments for the Pfizer vaccine, and vaccinations will begin on April 3. Additionally, the Walmart in Latham is now offering appointments for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Other Capital Region vaccination locations are in Troy, Schenectady, East Greenbush, Clifton Park, Amsterdam and Catskill. Eligible individuals include those who are at least 30 years old, those with co-morbidities and 1a and 1b essential workers. To make an appointment, please use the online registration at the link here.

Community-wide free testing continues on the University at Albany (SUNY) campus by appointment only for those with or without symptoms. Appointments may be made by calling the NYS hotline at 888-364-3065 or by visiting the State Department of Health website.
 
County Executive McCoy continues to highlight the testing site in Albany County at Priority 1 Urgent Care, which also provides antibody testing, located in Hamilton Square at 2080 Western Avenue in Guilderland. Testing will only be provided after appointments are made and after patients come in to be screened for expanded CDC symptoms. To schedule an appointment, you can call (518) 867-8040.
 
The County Executive 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 available at their website at the link here. Tests will be conducted from within an individual’s car with self-swab nasal tests and with the help of a pharmacist.
 
Walgreens is operating a testing facility at the 41 Holland Avenue location utilizing a self-collection model. Residents will be able to remain in their cars while assisted by pharmacists when necessary. Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, individuals who are 18 years or older may be tested once completing an eligibility assessment at the Walgreens website or at their app. Patients can get their results from PWNHealth.
 
Price Chopper/Market 32 is piloting a free COVID-19 test program at three of its New York drive-thru pharmacies. Customers can register for a test at the website here and they will get a voucher to go to one of the testing sites on a specific date. Local participating pharmacies are in Latham, Clifton Park and Johnstown. Testing is on Tuesdays from 7am to 9am. Customers won’t leave their car and will administer the test themselves with guidance from a pharmacist. Results will be provided by eTrueNorth.
 
CVS is offering drive-thru testing at select stores. You must register online for an appointment. To do that and find locations offering the drive-thru testing, go to the CVS website.
 
Central Med Urgent Care, 1662 Central Avenue, Colonie offers the rapid antigen test, lab-based PCR and antibody testing. No appointment is required but you can call 518-240-1456 if you would like to make an appointment. Testing is available for children.

For the all latest data on COVID testing and results, you can refer to the Albany County COVID-19 Data Dashboard, as well as the New York State Department of Health COVID-19 Tracker.
 
For those experiencing stress, anxiety or depression during the ongoing pandemic, the Albany County Mental Health Support Line is available seven days a week, from 8am to 5pm 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, and the free and confidential online text chat feature can be found at the link here.