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, 71.5% of all Albany County residents have received at least the first dose of the vaccine, and 65.7% have been fully vaccinated. The first dose vaccination rate for the county’s 18+ population is now up to 82.6%. 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 29,024 to date, with 94 new positive cases identified since yesterday. The county’s five-day average of new daily positive cases is now up to 100.2. 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 3.7% and the Capital Region’s average rate remained at 3.7%.

Among the new daily cases of COVID identified in the county, 16 had close contacts to positive cases, 66 did not have clear sources of infection at this time, three reported traveling out of state, and nine are healthcare workers or residents of congregate living settings. There are now 557 active cases in the county, down from 565 yesterday. The number of people under mandatory quarantine decreased to 888 from 934. So far 90,731 people have completed quarantine to date. Of those who completed quarantine, 28,467 of them had tested positive and recovered – an increase of 95 additional recoveries.
 
The County Executive reported that there were three new hospitalizations since yesterday, and there are now a total of 35 county residents currently hospitalized with COVID. There are still 13 patients in ICU’s. There are no new COVID deaths to report. The death toll for Albany County stands at 406 since the outbreak began.

“Our new positive numbers continue to remain high as well as our hospitalization rates and the people in ICU’s,” said County Executive McCoy. “The best way to battle COVID is to get a vaccine shot and continue to wear a mask indoors, social distance, cough and sneeze into your arm and wash your hands frequently. If we follow these practices, we should be able to reduce the number of people getting sick or going to the hospital.”

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:
  
**********POSTPONED until 11/6*********Saturday, October 2, 10am to 12pm – Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson available
Breakfast with Grand Street Community Arts
68 Grand Street, Albany, NY 

Wednesday, October 6, 5pm to 7pm – Pfizer Booster, 1st, 2nd, 3rd Doses  
Meyers Middle School
100 Elbel Court, Albany
(Residents are strongly encouraged to register in advance at the Albany County for the 1st dose here and the booster dose 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.