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, 41.8% of Albany County’s population has received at least their first dose, and 28% has been completely vaccinated. That compares to the statewide first dose vaccination rate of 34.4%, and full vaccination rate of 21.7%. To date, Albany County has administered or reallocated through community partners 42,959 first and second doses of the vaccine. The County alone has administered 27,904 doses at the vaccination clinics at the Times Union Center and CAP Center. An additional 1,400 first doses are expected to be administered today at the TU Center. 

The County Executive announced that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County has now climbed to 22,780 to date, an increase of 65 new positive cases since yesterday. The five-day average for new daily positives has increased to 58.8 from 57.8. Please note that our overall case count will fluctuate as CommCare records are transferred in and out of the county. Albany County’s most recent 7-day average of percent positive rates is now at 2.2%.

Among the new cases of Coronavirus, 15 had close contact with positive cases, 44 did not have clear sources of infection at this time, three reported traveling out of state, and three are healthcare workers or residents of congregate living settings. There are now 511 active cases in the county, down from 523 yesterday. The number of people under mandatory quarantine increased to 1,248 from 1,218. So far, 72,889 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 22,269 of them had tested positive and recovered. That is an increase of 74 recoveries since yesterday.

County Executive McCoy reported that there were five new hospitalizations overnight and there are now 26 county residents hospitalized from the virus – a net increase of two. There are currently seven patients in ICU’s, up from six yesterday. There are no new COVID-related deaths to report, and the death toll for Albany County still stands at 366 since the outbreak began. During the briefing, the County Executive and County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen both took time to honor the sacrifices of healthcare workers during the pandemic with a video for National Public Health Week, which can be found at the link here.

“Looking at the COVID data from over the last two months, you quickly realize that new infections are concentrated in teenagers and 20-year-olds. Between February 12 and April 6, new positive cases among those between the ages of 10 and 19 and those in their 20’s, each rose by at least 23%. For 20-year-olds, that’s an additional 993 new infections over that time period, and 153 new positives in just the last eight days,” said County Executive McCoy. 

“This really highlights how important it was to expand vaccine eligibility to all adults and the need for us to get these age groups, including our college students, vaccinated. Even though they likely won’t get very sick or be hospitalized, they’re still getting infected and spreading the virus, which is only prolonging the pandemic,” he continued. 

For those who would like additional information on vaccinations and vaccination clinics organized by Albany County, please use the link here. Those who would like to pre-register for a vaccination through the county’s 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. 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.