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, 77.5% of all Albany County residents have received at least the first dose of the vaccine, and 70.6% have been fully vaccinated. The first dose vaccination rate for the county’s 18+ population is now up to 86.6%. 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 36,913 to date, with 213 new positive cases identified since yesterday. The county’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases is now at 173.5. 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 cases per 100,000 is now up to 48.6 and the Capital Region’s average of cases per 100,000 is now up to 59.2.

There are now 612 active cases in Albany County, up from 593 yesterday. The number of people under mandatory quarantine increased to 1,265 from 1,187. Of those who have completed quarantine to date, 36,301 of them had tested positive and recovered – an increase of 179 additional recoveries.
 
County Executive McCoy reported that there were seven new hospitalizations since yesterday, and there are 65 county residents currently hospitalized with the Coronavirus – a net decrease of one. Eight of those hospital patients are now in ICU’s, down from nine yesterday. There are no new COVID deaths, and the death toll for Albany County still stands at 457 since the outbreak began. 

“While our battle with COVID is far from over as we once again report 200 new infections in Albany County since yesterday, today also marks an important milestone now that more than 70% of all county residents have gotten either the Johnson & Johnson single dose or two doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. This was possible thanks to a packed schedule of school-based vaccination clinics we’ve been running, where our teams have been able to administer nearly 1,200 doses in less than two weeks,” said County Executive McCoy.

“The data continues to show that getting vaccinated is the best protection against hospitalization and death after contracting COVID, but we also know the effectiveness of the vaccines tends to wane over time, so we continue to urge those who are at least 16 years old and have been vaccinated for more than six months to get the booster as soon as possible,” 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):

• 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.