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. He was joined by Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple, Sr., Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, Watervliet Mayor Charles Patricelli and County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen to discuss a new initiative to distribute COVID test kits and kn-95 masks to the public.

As of yesterday, 78.5% of all Albany County residents have received at least the first dose of the vaccine, and 71.3% have been fully vaccinated. The first dose vaccination rate for the county’s 18+ population is now up to 87.6%. 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 38,360 to date, with 245 new positive cases identified since yesterday. The county’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases is now up to 228.4. 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 62.4 and the Capital Region’s average of cases per 100,000 is now up to 66.3.
 
There are now 962 active cases in Albany County, down from 1,048 yesterday. The number of people under mandatory quarantine decreased to 1,946 from 1,978. Of those who have completed quarantine to date, 37,398 of them had tested positive and recovered – an increase of 326 additional recoveries.
 
County Executive McCoy reported that there were five new hospitalizations since yesterday, and there are 60 county residents currently hospitalized with the Coronavirus – a net decrease of one. Eight of those hospital patients are now in ICU’s, unchanged from yesterday. Unfortunately, there is one new COVID death to report – a woman in her 50’s. The death toll for Albany County now stands at 468 since the outbreak began. 
 
“The Omicron variant continues to drive up our infection rate in Albany County, and I’m proud to partner with Sheriff Apple and municipal leaders to distribute masks and at-home test kits to control the spread of the virus. Our cities, towns and villages will be responsible for getting 138,000 kn-95 masks and more than 10,000 test kits out to the general public, and I look forward to continuing to work with Governor Hochul and the State to secure even more test kits for future distributions in the near future,” said County Executive McCoy.

“And while these are important weapons in our arsenal, the most effective weapon against the Coronavirus is the vaccine. Among the COVID deaths in the county so far this month, 33% were fully vaccinated and 66% hadn’t received a single shot. I continue to encourage everyone to get vaccinated if they haven’t already, and to get the booster if they have to ensure they’re as protected from the virus as possible,” he continued. 
 
Residents can 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.