Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy reported today on the county’s progress on administering and distributing COVID vaccines and controlling the spread of the Coronavirus. As of yesterday, 63.6% of Albany County’s population has received at least the first dose, and 57.5% has been fully vaccinated. The first dose vaccination rate for the county’s 18+ population is now up to 74.3%. More information on vaccination rates can be found at the New York State COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker at the link here. 

County Executive McCoy announced that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County has now climbed to 24,382 to date, an increase of 2 new positive cases since yesterday. The five-day average for new daily positives decreased from 4 to 3. 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 0.3%, and the Capital Region’s rate is now down to 0.3%.

Among the new cases of COVID in the county, both had close contact to positive cases. There are now 24 active cases in the county, down from 29 yesterday. The number of people under mandatory quarantine decreased to 50 from 61. So far, 79,903 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 24,358 of them had tested positive and recovered. That is an increase of 6 recoveries since yesterday.

The County Executive reported that there was one new hospitalization overnight, and three county residents still remain hospitalized from the virus. There are now two patients currently in ICU’s, up from one yesterday. There were no new COVID deaths to report and the death toll for Albany County stands at 384 since the outbreak began. 

For the briefing, County Executive McCoy was joined by Albany County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center President & CEO David Shippee to announce that Albany County had received the 2021 Gold Innovative Practice Award from the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) for the county’s mobile COVID-19 testing program. The award represents the highest level of program innovation to meet the needs of the community during the pandemic, according to the organization.

“Sadly, Albany County wasn’t spared from the disproportionate impact COVID has had on minority communities across the nation. This situation could have been worse, but we saw the writing on the wall early on, and I was proud that we were the first county in New York to launch a mobile COVID testing program that brought desperately needed resources directly to our underserved neighborhoods,” said County Executive McCoy. “Albany County being one of only eight to receive this award for innovation is a recognition of the hard work of our county workforce, our commitment to equity and a successful partnership with Whitney Young Health Center.”

“We are proud that our partnership with the Albany County Department of Health brought mobile COVID-19 testing to medically underserved residents in our community”, said David Shippee, President & CEO of Whitney Young Health. “The ability to reach patients who couldn’t access traditional testing sites was an important step in responding to an unprecedented health pandemic.”

The County Executive’s Office, Whitney Young Health Center and the County Department of Health utilized community involvement on various locations across the City of Albany, Albany County and the Capital Region, while identifying the most at-risk populations. The program also involved culturally-sensitive health education. The Gold Innovation recognition comes with a $7,000 award from NACCHO’s Diamond Affiliate Partner, Contakt World.

During the briefing, County Executive McCoy also reported on Albany County’s concerning trend of opioid overdose deaths in 2021. There have already been 37 confirmed opioid overdose deaths in Albany County through the end of May, with an additional 13 suspected cases still awaiting final toxicology reports. That could mean a total of 50 opioid deaths in the first five months. In 2020, an especially deadly year because of the pandemic and economic shutdown, there was a total of 99 opioid overdose deaths, which was up from 62 in 2019 and a total of 50 in 2017.


Upcoming Albany County Sponsored Vaccination Clinics (eligibility is currently the 12+ age group and walk-ins are welcome):

Wednesday, June 16, from 4pm to 7pm
Coeymans Landing Park
2 Westerlo St. Exd, Ravena, NY 12143
Pfizer first and second doses and Johnson & Johnson vaccines to be administered
A collaboration between Albany County DOH and CDPHP

Friday, June 18, from 12:30pm to 3:30pm
Juneteenth Block Party, corner of Broad Street and Alexander Street in Albany
Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be available

Tuesday, June 22, from 4pm to 6:30pm
West Hill Refugee Welcome Center 
104 Ontario St, Albany
Pfizer first and second doses and Johnson & Johnson vaccines to be administered
A collaboration between Albany County DOH and CDPHP

Tuesday, June 22, from 4:30 to 7:30pm
Shaker Jr. High School, 475 Watervliet Shaker Rd, Latham
Pfizer second doses to be administered only
A collaboration between Albany County DOH, North & South Colonie School Districts and Colonie EMS

Upcoming Community COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics (shared by the Capital Region COVID Vaccine Regional Advisory Task Force):

Boys and Girls Clubs of Schenectady, Adeline Wright Graham Clubhouse
Saturdays in June, 12pm – 4pm

Schenectady Green Market- Hon. Karen B Johnson Library (outside)
Sundays in June, 10am – 2pm

SUNY Schenectady, Elston Hall
Mondays in June, 5pm – 7pm

Albany County continues to deliver vaccines to homebound residents, which includes seniors, disabled individuals, those lacking childcare and those with other accessibility issues. Anyone who would like to schedule a time for a vaccine appointment should call (518) 447-7198.

Residents can also receive free Pfizer vaccines Monday through Friday, 9am - 3pm, each week at the Albany County Department of Health, 175 Green Street. The 12+ population is eligible. No appointments are needed and walk-ins are welcome.  Those 12 to 15 years old must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. A follow up second dose clinic will be scheduled at the time of the first dose appointment. Free transportation is available for anyone at least 60 years old (and a caregiver), by calling the County Department for Aging in advance at (518) 447-7198.

For those who would like additional information on vaccinations and vaccination clinics organized by Albany County, please 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 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 other options for getting tested across Albany County with local partners. Please visit the Albany County website at the link here for a full list of locations, eligibility and types of tests. Residents who are experiencing symptoms or those who are worried they may have been exposed to COVID-19 are encouraged to register for an appointment. 

Applications for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) began on June 1 specifically for those who have experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The $2.7 billion in funding will be available to New Yorkers for up to one year of back rent, three months of future rental assistance and up to one year of owed utility payments. The program will be administered by the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA). Additional information can be found at the link here.