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Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that there are now 210 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County. Additionally, there are now 517 people under mandatory quarantine and 234 people under precautionary quarantine. With 19 individuals now hospitalized, the hospitalization rate for the county now stands at just over 9%. County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen and PVA President and CEO Tony Hynes joined him in making the announcement.

PVA is a global supplier of automation equipment located in Cohoes servicing the electronics, medical device, telecommunications, semiconductor, and defense industries. The company recently announced that it would begin manufacturing ventilators for under $8,000 that are in short supply and are desperately needed to help patients suffering from COVID-19. The emergency ventilator design employs functionality that has been recently approved by the United Kingdom Department of Health & Science.  

“When it comes to ventilators, every single one could be the deciding factor between life and death for those struggling to breathe because of COVID-19. If PVA could in fact make 100 of these devices a day when they are fully operational, it would be nothing short of a game changer for Albany County residents and others who need them,” said County Executive McCoy. “PVA has already presented their ventilator to the Governor and the Office of the Vice President. Now we’re calling on the US Food and Drug Administration to approve this technology and get it into the healthcare system as quickly as possible.” 

County Executive McCoy also announced that the Albany County Department of Health was able to identify 8,000 N95 masks to be distributed, with the assistance of Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple, Sr., to hospitals and for our EMS community. 

This morning, the New York National Guard began delivering the 19,137 pounds of food donated by the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York to families and residents currently under mandatory quarantine due to possible COVID-19 exposure. The food includes pasta, peanut butter, soups, canned vegetables, rice, pork, chicken, apples, eggs and more.

For those who are dealing with stress, anxiety and even depression while confined to their homes during the 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.

While families and residents are home, Albany County departments are also producing short videos to help parents and kids pass the time with everything from arts and crafts and reading to karate. Other videos include mental health tips on coping and exercise videos. The first videos are up and more will be added over time. You can see them on our AlbanyCountyCares YouTube channel, which may be accessed through our website.

With visitation being placed on hold at Shaker Place Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, children and families are being asked to send messages or pictures to older residents there. This can also help with social isolation and mental health issues. E-cards can be sent to AlbanyCountyKidsCare@albanycountyny.gov. For all COVID-19 questions and concerns, residents are encouraged to use United Way’s 2-1-1 hotline as well as the State Department of Health’s hot line at 888-364-3065.