Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy held a briefing today to report on the county’s efforts to administer the COVID vaccine and control the spread of the Coronavirus. As of yesterday, 47.3% of Albany County’s population has received at least the first dose, and 33.3% has been fully vaccinated. That compares to the statewide first dose vaccination rate of 39.6%, and full vaccination rate of 26.4%. To date, Albany County has administered or reallocated 51,046 first and second doses. The county alone as administered 32,479 doses at the vaccination clinics at the Times Union Center and Albany Capital Center. 

The County Executive announced that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County has now climbed to 23,223 to date, an increase of 68 new positive cases since yesterday. The five-day average for new daily positives has increased slightly to 52.6 from 52. 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 decreased to 2.4%, and the Capital Region’s is now at 2.2%.

Among the new cases of Coronavirus, 21 had close contact with positive cases, 45 did not have clear sources of infection at this time, one reported traveling out of state, and one is a healthcare worker or resident of a congregate living setting. There are now 482 active cases in the county, up from 471 yesterday. The number of people under mandatory quarantine increased to 907 from 905. So far, 74,666 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 22,741 of them had tested positive and recovered. That is an increase of 53 recoveries since yesterday.

County Executive McCoy reported that there were three new hospitalizations overnight and 29 county residents are now hospitalized from the virus – a net decrease of one. There are currently six patients in ICU’s, unchanged from yesterday. There are no new COVID-related deaths to report, and the death toll for Albany County still stands at 369 since the outbreak began. The County Executive was joined by County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen for the briefing to report on the latest COVID data.

Also during the briefing, County Executive McCoy took time to honor the career and retirement of William “Bill” Leahy, who has led the New York State Office of Indigent Legal Services for the last ten years and was a key partner of the County Executive in his successful efforts in 2017 to secure state funding for public defenders at the county level.

“Bill Leahy has accomplished more in the last decade than most will accomplish in their entire lives, and he will leave behind an incredible legacy. Like me, he understood that there are two tiers of justice – one for the rich and one for the poor. But we fought for my historic legislation to secure $250 million over five years for indigent legal services across New York. Included in that is over $26 million for Albany County’s Public Defender, Alternate Public Defender and Assigned Counsel Program to ensure everyone has their day in court, no matter how much money they have in their pocket,” said County Executive McCoy. 

“And while we continue to make progress in getting Albany County vaccinated, we’re seeing our numbers begin to slow down. It’s critical we constantly look for new ways to make it easier to get vaccinated, and part of that will be making it easier to get authorization to vaccinate. I’m calling on the State to loosen the restrictions on this process so every doctor and every doctor’s office that wants to be certified, can do so quickly and easily,” he continued. 

Bill Leahy attended the University of Notre Dame and graduated Harvard Law School in 1974. He went on to practice as a trial and appellate public defender for a full decade for the Massachusetts Defenders Committee. Bill was selected as the first Deputy Chief Counsel for the Public Defender Division of the Massachusetts Committee for Public Counsel in 1984, and seven years later became the second Chief Counsel. He assumed the role of Director of the New York State Office of Indigent Legal Services in February 2011. County Executive McCoy presented him with an Albany County proclamation recognizing his career and legacy. Bill will officially step down in June of this year.

PHOTO ABOVE: (Pictured from left to right) Albany County Regional Immigration Assistance Center Deputy Director Bakary Janneh, Immigration Assistance Center Director Evelyn Kinnah, Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy, NYS Office of Indigent Legal Services Director Bill Leahy, Albany County Public Defender Judge Stephen Herrick, Albany County Alternate Public Defender Tina Sodhi, and Supervising Attorney of the County Assigned Counsel Program Thomas DeBose III.

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 sign up for a shot at a state-run facility based on their eligibility 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. Other Capital Region vaccination locations are in Troy, Schenectady, East Greenbush, Clifton Park, Amsterdam and Catskill. Eligible individuals include those who are at least 16 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.