Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy reported today on the county’s efforts to administer the COVID vaccine and control the spread of the Coronavirus. As of yesterday, 55.3% of Albany County’s population has received at least the first dose, and 44.4% has been fully vaccinated. Among the county’s population of those at least 18 years of age, the first dose vaccination rate is as high as 66.5%. That compares to the statewide first dose vaccination rate of 47.5%, and full vaccination rate of 37%. Albany County has now administered or reallocated 60,991 first and second doses of the COVID vaccine.

County Executive McCoy announced that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County has now climbed to 23,973 to date, an increase of 23 new positive cases since yesterday. The five-day average for new daily positives increased to 19.2 from 18.6. 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 seven-day average of percent positive rates is down to 1.2%, and the Capital Region’s rate is now at 1.3%. 

Among the new cases of Coronavirus, four had close contact with positive cases, 17 did not have clear sources of infection at this time, and two are healthcare workers or residents of congregate living settings. There remain 209 active cases in the county, unchanged from yesterday. The number of people under mandatory quarantine decreased to 522 from 541. So far, 77,864 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 23,764 of them had tested positive and recovered. That is an increase of 23 recoveries since yesterday.

The County Executive reported that there were two new hospitalizations overnight, and there are now 26 county residents hospitalized from the virus – a net decrease of one. There are currently 10 patients in ICU’s, up one from yesterday. There were no new COVID-related deaths to report, and the death toll for Albany County still stands at 376 since the outbreak began. To provide additional updates, County Executive McCoy was joined by County Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen.

The County Executive announced a new collaboration between the Albany County Crime Victim and Sexual Violence Center (CVSVC) and the Albany County Department of Recreation called “Athletes are Children First.” CVSVC Director Karen Ziegler says the program will educate staff, children and youth on sexual abuse and ways to report and prevent it. 

“Sexual abuse and violence are heinous crimes that can never be tolerated, but sadly we know they continue to happen. Look no further than the US Olympic Gymnastics Team and countless other examples. We can and should prosecute these criminals, but we also need to look at more ways to prevent them from ever happening across all sports and society,” said County Executive McCoy. 

“That’s why Albany County is expanding its child sexual abuse prevention program beyond gymnastics to all of our AAU sports and recreation programs. Any athletic organization that wants a contract with the county will be required to include a curriculum that teaches coaches, staff, children and youth about the dangers of abuse, how to recognize it, how to prevent it and create an open dialogue between athletes and adults,” he continued. 

During the briefing, County Executive McCoy unveiled the third vaccine PSA video sponsored by Albany County, bringing greater awareness to the safety and effectiveness of getting vaccinated, and reducing vaccine hesitancy. The video was created by Adam Muro, and featured Pastor David Traynham, Reverend Dr. Roxanne Jones Booth, Central Med Urgent Care CEO Dr. Nosa Lebarty and Siena College President Chris Gibson. The video will begin airing tomorrow on Spectrum cable and internet service.

The Albany County Department of Health will be administering free Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines Monday through Friday, 9am-3pm, each week at the Albany County Department of Health, 175 Green Street, to individuals 16+ years old. No appointments are needed and walk-ins are welcome.  A follow up 2nd dose clinic will be scheduled at the time of the 1st dose appointment. Free transportation is available for anyone at least 60 years old (and a caregiver), by calling the County Department for Aging at (518) 447-7198 in advance.

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 should use the state's website at the link here or call the state vaccine hotline at 1-833-697-4829. Walk-ins are now welcome at state-run facilities for those who are at least 16 years old. For general information on the vaccine, residents can also dial the United Way of the Greater Capital Region’s 2-1-1 hotline.

There are also various pharmacies across the county and the region offering vaccine appointments. 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. Anyone over 16 years old is now eligible. 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.