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, 71.4% of all Albany County residents have received at least the first dose of the vaccine, and 65.6% have been fully vaccinated. The first dose vaccination rate for the county’s 18+ population is now up to 82.5%.  More information on vaccination rates around the state can be found at the New York State COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker at the link here.
 
County Executive McCoy announced that the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County is now at 28,830 to date, with 72 new positive cases identified since yesterday. The county’s five-day average of new daily positive cases is now down to 84. 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 3.9% and the Capital Region’s average rate remained at 3.7%.

Among the new daily cases of COVID identified in the county, 18 had close contacts to positive cases, 48 did not have clear sources of infection at this time, one reported traveling out of state, and five are healthcare workers or residents of congregate living settings. There are now 552 active cases in the county, up from 547 yesterday. The number of people under mandatory quarantine jumped to 910 from 799. So far 90,231 people have completed quarantine to date. Of those who completed quarantine, 28,278 of them had tested positive and recovered – an increase of 61 additional recoveries.
 
The County Executive reported that there were seven new hospitalizations since yesterday, and there are now a total of 37 county residents currently hospitalized with the virus – a net increase of five from the last update. There are now eleven patients in ICU’s, up from ten. Sadly, there is one new COVID death to report – an individual who is at least 100 years old. The death toll for Albany County now stands at 404 since the outbreak began.

“Unfortunately, I have to report another COVID death in Albany County, the second in as many days and the fourth over the last week. We’re also seeing the total number of county residents hospitalized with the virus on the rise again, and the number of ICU patients ticking up to the highest it’s been since February 19,” said County Executive McCoy. “COVID is not done with us yet, and the threat it poses is still very real. Please get vaccinated if you haven’t, and if you have, encourage family and friends to follow suit. Albany County offers vaccination clinics every day of the week and we also continue to offer a delivery service to those who need it.”

Anyone eligible to receive a COVID vaccine booster dose and would like to receive one from the Albany County Department of Health will be required to provide their vaccination card or the Excelsior Pass Plus in order to view the formula type, lot number and date of the inoculation. More information on the booster dose can be found at the New York State website here.


Upcoming Community COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics (all offering Pfizer vaccine):
  
Thursday, September 30, 4:30pm to 6:30pm – BOOSTERS & 1st DOSES
South Colonie High School
1 Raider Blvd, Albany, NY 
(Residents are strongly encouraged to register in advance at Albany County website here)

Saturday, October 2, 10am to 12pm – Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson available
Breakfast with Grand Street Community Arts
68 Grand Street, Albany, NY 
(Residents are strongly encouraged to register in advance at the Albany County website here)

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.

COVID-19 testing continues to be available throughout Albany County and the Capital Region. Help finding a testing site near you can be found at the New York State website here and the Albany County website here.