Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy today held a press conference to provide the latest update on the county’s progress on vaccinations and control the spread of the Coronavirus as well as to introduce a new way to reach communities about County programs and services. 

As of yesterday, 75.0% of all Albany County residents have received at least the first dose of the vaccine, and 67.5% have been fully vaccinated. The first dose vaccination rate for the county’s 18+ population is now up to 84.6%. 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 33,582 to date, with 115 new positive cases identified since yesterday. The county’s five-day average of new daily positive cases is now down to 104.2. 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 is still 5.0% and the Capital Region’s average rate remained at 6.8%.

There are now 611 active cases in the county, up from 604 yesterday. The number of people under mandatory quarantine increased to 1,116 from 1,069. So far 104,557 people have completed quarantine to date. Of those who completed quarantine, 32,971 of them had tested positive and recovered – an increase of 103 additional recoveries.
 
County Executive McCoy reported that there were eight new hospitalizations since yesterday, and there are a total of 41 county residents currently hospitalized with the Coronavirus. Four of those hospital patients are in ICU’s, unchanged from yesterday. Unfortunately, there is one new COVID death to report – a man in his 60’s. The death toll for Albany County now stands at 440 since the outbreak began.

“It is another sad day when I report the loss of yet another Albany County resident to COVID-19 and send condolences to their families. It’s important that we remember what the situation looked like this time last year, ahead of the holiday season, because we know that it was around this time that we saw an alarming spike in infections and soon after, hospitalizations and deaths,” said County Executive McCoy.

Between October 24th and November 24th of last year, there were 1,756 new COVID infections, 113 new hospitalizations, and 8 new COVID deaths. As we compare that to the last month of this year, we had 2,764 new infections, 136 new hospitalizations, and 19 new COVID deaths. We were doing much better this time last year. That’s a difference of more than 1,000 infections, and more than 2 times the number of deaths, year over year.

“The best way to protect our residents is by getting people vaccinated, and making sure they’re able to get their boosters,” continued County Executive McCoy. “To achieve that, we have worked with our partners and increased the number of clinics offered in the coming weeks.”

County Executive McCoy was joined at the briefing by former NFL player Dion Lewis. The Super Bowl Champion was raised in Albany and has partnered with the County during the pandemic to speak directly to youth in the Teen Challenge to promote ways to stay safe and in psa’s to encourage people to get vaccinated. Lewis has been named as the County’s Community Health and Wellness Development Coordinator to assist in building trust with residents and connecting them with services Albany County offer.

“We have a great opportunity because Dion is a role model, especially with young men, and one of the lessons we learned over the last 22 months dealing with COVID is that some people can be skeptical of government,” said County Executive McCoy. “Dion’s a credible messenger and will be able to help us break through those barriers.”

“I wanted to come back and share my passion to give back to my community- to a city that has helped mold me into the man I am today,” said Dion Lewis. “A lot has changed here since I was younger, and not all of it is good. I want to do everything I can to make a difference and to reach those people who need their faith restored. It’ll be my job to provide motivation and let the community know about all the resources the county has that they may be able to benefit from.”   

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):

• Tuesday, November 30, from 10am to 12pm
o Albany International Airport (exact location TBD)
o Albany Shaker Rd, Colonie, NY

• Thursday, December 2, from 4:30 to 7pm
o Menands Union Free School
o 19 Wards Lane, Menands, NY

• Wednesday, December 8, from 4:30 to 7pm
o Blue Creek Elementary School
o 100 Clinton St., Latham, NY

• Monday, December 13, from 4:30 to 7pm
o Guilderland Elementary School
o 2225 Western Ave, Guilderland, NY

• Tuesday, December 14, from 4:30 to 7pm
o Stephen & Harriet Myers Middle School
o 100 Elbel Court, Albany, NY

• Thursday, December 16, from 4:30 to 7pm
o Sand Creek Middle School
o 329 Sand Creek Road, Albany, NY


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. Aside from Wednesdays, appointments are now required, which can be made at the link here.  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.

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 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. 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.