Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy today provided the latest update on the county’s progress on vaccinations and controlling the spread of the Coronavirus. As of yesterday, 74% of all Albany County residents have received at least the first dose of the vaccine, and 67.3% have been fully vaccinated. The first dose vaccination rate for the county’s 18+ population is now up to 84.4%. 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 32,695 to date, with 67 new positive cases identified since yesterday. The county’s five-day average of new daily positive cases is now down to 89.2. 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 rate remained at 4.6% and the Capital Region’s average remained at 5.6%.

Among the new daily cases of COVID identified in the county, 26 had close contacts to positive cases, 36 did not have clear sources of infection at this time, three reported traveling out of state, and two are healthcare workers or residents of congregate living settings.  There are now 616 active cases in the county, down from 617 yesterday. The number of people under mandatory quarantine decreased to 1,050 from 1,168. So far 102,343 people have completed quarantine to date. Of those who completed quarantine, 32,079 of them had tested positive and recovered – an increase of 61 additional recoveries.
 
County Executive McCoy reported that there were twelve new hospitalizations since yesterday, and there are now a total of 38 county residents currently hospitalized with the Coronavirus – a net increase of five. Eight of those hospital patients are in ICU’s, unchanged from yesterday. Unfortunately, there are two new COVID deaths to report – a woman in her 90’s and another woman over 100 years old. The death toll for Albany County now stands at 435 since the outbreak began.

“To clarify today’s data on the vaccination status of COVID hospitalizations, with the vast majority of Albany County residents – nearly 75% – having received the first or both doses of the vaccine – it is inevitable that we will have a growing share of vaccinated individuals in the hospital. However, what we are also seeing are a high concentration of those who are vaccinated in the hospital with serious underlying health conditions, while the unvaccinated who are hospitalized are far less likely to have one of these potentially life threatening conditions,” said County Executive McCoy. 

“We’ve said from the start that the vaccine is not 100% effective, and unfortunately it cannot prevent all of the potential damage of COVID-19. However, the science is clear – getting the shot will dramatically reduce your chances of serious illness and death, and we strongly encourage parents to vaccinate their children and for adults to get the shot if they haven’t already,” he continued. 

Between November 7 and November 13, a total of 676 new COVID infections were identified in Albany County. Of those, 341 were vaccinated, 271 were not and 64 refused to respond. Of the 38 residents currently hospitalized with COVID, 50% are fully vaccinated, 3% are partially vaccinated, and 47% are not vaccinated. The average of this weekly reporting dating back to August 14 now stands at 37.2% fully vaccinated, 2.5% partially vaccinated, and 60.3% unvaccinated.

Upcoming School-Based Vaccination Clinics (please note that all vaccinations are by appointment only. Scheduling for pediatric shots for the 5-11 population will be handled by individual schools directly with parents of students from those specific schools. Pfizer 12+ 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and booster shots, as well as Moderna 18+ 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and booster shots will be available by appointment as well):

• Wednesday, November 17, from 4:30 to 7pm
o Blue Creek Elementary School, North Colonie Central School District
o Register for appointments here. 

• Thursday, November 18, from 4:30 to 7pm
o Sand Creek Middle School, South Colonie Central School District

• Monday, November 22, from 4:30 to 7pm
o Guilderland Central School District (exact location TBD) 

Parents and guardians can make appointments at state mass vaccination sites here.  Additionally, parents and guardians are encouraged to contact their child's pediatrician, family physician, health centers, pharmacies or other providers for vaccination information and to schedule appointments. 

Residents can also receive free Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines (including booster shots) Monday through Friday, 9am - 3pm, each week at the Albany County Department of Health, 175 Green Street. No appointments are needed and walk-ins are welcome.  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.

Those 12 to 15 years old who would like a COVID vaccine shot 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.

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.
 
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.