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, 48.9% of Albany County’s population has received at least the first dose, and 34.7% has been fully vaccinated. That compares to the statewide first dose vaccination rate of 41.4%, and full vaccination rate of 28.1%. Albany County has now administered or reallocated 52,151 first and second doses of the vaccine to date.

The County Executive announced that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County has now climbed to 23,407 to date, an increase of 42 new positive cases since yesterday. The five-day average for new daily positives has increased to 64.8 from 64.6. 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 up to 2.9%, and the Capital Region’s is now at 2.3%.

Among the new cases of Coronavirus, 13 had close contact with positive cases, 26 did not have clear sources of infection at this time, three reported traveling out of state, and none are healthcare workers or residents of a congregate living setting. There are now 531 active cases in the county, down from 550 yesterday. The number of people under mandatory quarantine decreased to 1,029 from 1,048. So far, 75,161 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 22,876 of them had tested positive and recovered. That is an increase of 62 recoveries since yesterday.

County Executive McCoy announced that there were three new hospitalizations overnight and 30 county residents are now hospitalized from the virus – a net increase of one. There are currently nine patients in ICU’s, up from seven yesterday. Sadly, there is one new COVID-related death to report – a woman in her 40’s. The death toll for Albany County now stands at 372 since the outbreak began. For the briefing, the County Executive was joined by County Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen and Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus to discuss coordinated efforts on the COVID-19 response and encourage those who are eligible to get vaccinated.

“Sadly, Albany County has lost yet another resident to COVID-19, the third death in only two days. This alarming uptick, along with an increase in the number of people being hospitalized, needs to be our motivation to get more people vaccinated and to continue following the health guidelines until we reach herd immunity,” said County Executive McCoy. “Having received another allotment of over 3,500 Pfizer doses, our next vaccination clinic at the Times Union Center will be this Thursday. I’m hopeful we can get these appointments filled with anyone who is eligible, especially our teenagers and those in their 20’s who are largely driving our new infection numbers.”

The direct link to sign up for the COVID vaccination clinic at the Times Union Center on Thursday, April 22, from 2pm to 7pm, can be found here. The second dose has been automatically scheduled for May 13. Free parking is available at the TU Center parking garage. 

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.