Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today with County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen that as of this morning, there are now 424 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County. Additionally, there are now 498 people under mandatory quarantine and 66 people under precautionary quarantine. The death toll for the county now stands at twelve.

With 36 people now hospitalized, the hospitalization rate for Albany County stands at 8.49%. Fourteen of those individuals are now in Intensive Care Units (ICU). Imam Djafer of Al-Hidaya Center and Imam Yaki of the Islamic Center of the Capital District to joined the County Executive to present a donation of $20,000 for Covid-19 relief raised by area mosques including Islamic Center of the Capital District, Al-Hidaya Center, Masjid As-Salam and Masjid Al-Arqam.

“I want to extend my sincere gratitude to the Muslim community for this support,” said County Executive McCoy. “The generous gift will help us continue to feed and take care of other members in our area who truly need us now more than ever. I also thank United Way of the Greater Capital Region for being the agent to distribute this money to organizations such as the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York and others that are serving our community.”

“This donation will no doubt save lives and I am grateful for this gift from the Islamic Community as it embodies the spirit upon which United Way was founded,” said Peter Gannon, President and CEO of the Greater Capital Region. “Our partnership with Albany County and County Executive McCoy demonstrate how strong we are by working together to help each other. Anyone who is inspired by this act can continue to help by texting COVID19 to 41444.”

County Executive McCoy also reminded everyone that the Albany County Rail Trail is open but to remember to keep everyone safe, people must follow the CDC guidelines to protect yourself and others by staying six feet apart.

Citing recent studies that demonstrate many people who are carrying COVID-19 do not showing any symptoms, the New York State Department of Health issued new guidance last night that supports the use of “cloth face coverings” when out in public and social distancing can be difficult. That includes in essential business places like grocery stores, pharmacies and hardware stores. Coverings should fit tightly across an individual’s face and cover their nose and mouth.

For those who are experiencing stress, anxiety or even depression during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, County Executive McCoy also announced that the County Mental Health Support Line has expanded its hours and is now available seven days a week from 8am to 8pm. Residents can access that line at (518) 269-6634. The County Executive is also offering videos on coping, AAU martial arts, exercise and more. Anyone experiencing a psychiatric emergency should still call the Albany County Mobile Crisis Team at (518) 549–6500.

Daily briefings are recorded and may be seen with slides on AlbanyCounty.com, the County’s Facebook page, public access channels—Open Stage Media in Schenectady and Channel Albany in the city of Albany and on Capitol OTB—Channel 1250 Spectrum and Channel 467 on Fios.

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.