Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy held the last COVID briefing today to report on the county’s progress on administering and distributing vaccines and controlling the spread of the Coronavirus. As of yesterday, 63.8% of Albany County’s population has received at least the first dose, and 58.1% has been fully vaccinated. The first dose vaccination rate for the county’s 18+ population is now up to 74.5%. More information on vaccination rates can be found at the New York State COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker at the link here. Albany County has now administered or reallocated a total of 70,000 first and second doses of the vaccine.

County Executive McCoy announced that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County has now climbed to 24,386 to date, an increase of 2 new positive cases since yesterday. The five-day average for new daily positives decreased from 3.2 to 2.8. 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 remains at 0.3%, and the Capital Region’s rate is still 0.3%.

Among the new cases of COVID in the county, both did not have a clear source of infection at this time, and none are healthcare workers or residents of congregate living settings. There are now 16 active cases in the county, down from 21 yesterday. The number of people under mandatory quarantine decreased to 35 from 47. So far, 79,930 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 24,370 of them had tested positive and recovered. That is an increase of 6 recoveries since yesterday.

The County Executive reported that there were no new hospitalizations overnight, and 5 county residents still remain hospitalized from the virus. There are still two patients currently in ICU’s, unchanged from yesterday. There were no new COVID deaths to report, and the death toll for Albany County still stands at 385 since the outbreak began. 

“It’s been a long 66 weeks, and it’s important to remember the 385 county residents we’ve lost to this horrible disease along the way. While COVID isn’t done with us yet, we should all be proud of how we’ve beaten it back up to this point. The Capital Region was the first New York region to hit the 50% first dose vaccination rate, and we still have the second highest rate behind Long Island,” said County Executive McCoy. 

“It truly takes a village to respond to a pandemic, and there are so many people to thank who played their part in our fight, including my executive staff, the Albany County Legislature, healthcare workers everywhere, the entire county workforce, including the staff at the Albany County Department of Health, and our dedicated workers at Shaker Place who cared for our most vulnerable. With New York now officially at the 70% first dose vaccination rate for adults and considering how much progress we’ve made, today will be the last COVID briefing I’ll be holding,” he continued.

During the briefing, the County Executive thanked some of the community partners who have assisted Albany County with its response to COVID-19 and the economic fallout. The New York National Guard, the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, United Way of the Greater Capital Region, the Muslim community and Feed Albany all played critical roles in providing food to families in need who either were placed under quarantine of laid off from work. 

Countless local businesses and organizations donated critical PPE to protect county staff, healthcare workers and hospitals. The County Executive, Sheriff Craig Apple, District Attorney David Soares and United Way worked together to tackle price gouging of critical items like hand sanitizer with a new hotline. Schools, churches, mosques, fire departments and EMS teams – including Mohawk Ambulance Service – helped deliver vaccines to residents. Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center for partnering on testing and vaccinations. The Albany FireWolves, Dunkin’ and Stewart’s Shops also partnered with Albany County to grow vaccination rates by providing free incentives for those who got the shot. 


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
20 Marina Drive, Coeymans, New York 12045
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.