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, 75.3% of all Albany County residents have received at least the first dose of the vaccine, and 67.6% have been fully vaccinated. The first dose vaccination rate for the county’s 18+ population is now up to 84.8%. 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 34,058 to date, with 112 new positive cases identified since yesterday. The county’s five-day average of new daily positive cases is now up to 125. 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 now down to 4.9% and the Capital Region’s average rate is now up to 7.1%.

There are now 579 active cases in the county, down from 624 yesterday. The number of people under mandatory quarantine decreased to 1,011 from 1,150. Of those who have completed quarantine to date, 33,479 of them had tested positive and recovered – an increase of 153 additional recoveries.
 
County Executive McCoy reported that there were eight new hospitalizations since yesterday, and there is a total of 51 county residents currently hospitalized with the Coronavirus – a net increase of five. Six of those hospital patients are in ICU’s, unchanged from yesterday. There are no new COVID deaths to report, and the death toll for Albany County still stands at 442 since the outbreak began.

“We continue to see a worrying rise in COVID hospitalizations in Albany County, with eight new daily hospitalizations for two consecutive days. We now have the highest number of county residents in the hospital since February 25, and two of those individuals are younger than 25 years old. Unfortunately, this was to be expected after the most recent spike in new infections even before the start of the holidays, but we haven’t yet seen the full effect that Thanksgiving gatherings will have on our infection rate. The situation will likely get worse which means more even people sent to the hospital, which could potentially put a strain on our hospital systems in the future,” said County Executive McCoy.

“We need everyone to do their part for the greater good of our community by getting vaccinated and getting their booster shots, and I’m urging everyone to wear a mask while indoors and to practice good hygiene. For those scheduled to return to work tomorrow, please stay home if you’re feeling sick,” he continued.


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.