Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy provided the latest report on the county’s progress on vaccinations and controlling the spread of the Coronavirus. As of yesterday, 67.9% of Albany County’s population has received at least the first dose, and 62.8% has been fully vaccinated. The first dose vaccination rate for the county’s 18+ population is now up to 78.7%. 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 72,475 first and second doses of the vaccine.
 
County Executive McCoy announced that the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County is now at 25,578 to date, with 62 new positive cases identified since yesterday. The county’s five-day average of new daily positive cases is now up to 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 seven-day average of percent positive rates is now down to 4.4%, and the Capital Region’s rate is now up to 4.6%.
 
Among the new cases of COVID identified in the county, 21 had close contacts to positive cases, five reported traveling out of state, 36 did not have clear sources of infection at this time, and none are healthcare workers or residents of congregate living settings. There are now 371 active cases in the county, down from 372 since yesterday. The number of people under mandatory quarantine decreased to 635 from 697. So far, 82,329 people have completed quarantine to date. Of those who completed quarantine, 25,207 of them had tested positive and recovered – an increase of 61 additional recoveries.
 
The County Executive reported that there was one new hospitalization since yesterday, and 25 county residents are now hospitalized with the virus – a net decrease of six. There are still two patients currently in ICU’s, unchanged since yesterday. Additionally, there were no new COVID deaths to report, and the death toll for Albany County still stands at 388 since the outbreak began.

“We continue to monitor the vaccination status of new COVID infections in Albany County. Among the 407 new positives identified between August 8 and August 14, 169 of them had received the vaccine, 203 did not and 35 couldn’t be verified. This is further evidence that the Coronavirus can and will spread among individuals who have gotten the shot, though the majority of infections are still coming from the unvaccinated. This is in line with what we reported the previous week,” said County Executive McCoy. 

“Those in their 20’s continue to be the biggest drivers of infections, accounting for more than a quarter of the total infections regardless of vaccination status analyzed in the past week,” he continued.

 
Upcoming Community COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics:
 
Tuesday, August 17 through Sunday, August 22; 12pm to 7:30pm
Altamont Fair
New York 146 & Arlington Street, Guilderland, NY
 
Saturday, August 28, 1pm to 4pm
Medusa Fest
28 County Route 351, Rensselaerville, NY
 
Saturday, August 28, 4pm to 7pm
Friendship Festival w/ CDPHP
Mosher Park, 2 Park Drive, Ravena, NY
 
 
County Executive McCoy and the Albany County Department of Social Services continue to host a series of informational sessions across the county at the below dates and locations to educate residents, check their eligibility and help them sign up for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). The federally funded program is specifically for those who have experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 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. All allocations will be sent directly to landlords or property owners on behalf of the tenants. More information on the program can be found at the link here.
 
ERAP Informational Session Schedule:
 
Friday, August 20, 8am to 11am
Trinity Alliance Food Distribution
47 Lark Street, Albany, NY
 
 
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 and Johnson & Johnson vaccines Monday through Friday, 9am - 3pm, each week at the Albany County Department of Health, 175 Green Street. The 12+ population is currently 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 a shot from 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 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 or the Albany County Department of Health at (518) 447-4580.