Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy began today’s briefing by acknowledging the start of Ramadan which is observed by the Muslim community. He wished our Muslim friends all the blessings of the holy month.

The County Executive announced with County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen that as of this morning, there are now 784 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County. Additionally, there are now 753 people under mandatory quarantine and 54 people under precautionary quarantine. To date, 1,902 individuals have completed quarantine, with 431 of them having tested positive and recovered.

The County Executive regrettably had to report another COVID-19 death overnight – a man in his 60’s with underlying health conditions – and extended his condolences to the family, along with the 30 other families who have lost loved ones since the pandemic began. The most recent death was a resident of Shaker Place Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. There are now 33 residents in total at the facility who have tested positive, along with 14 employees, including one staff member who has recovered and returned to work.

With 30 people now hospitalized, the hospitalization rate for Albany County stands at 3.83%, down from yesterday’s rate of 4.19%. Seven of those individuals are currently in Intensive Care Units (ICU), a number unchanged since yesterday. Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple, Sr. joined the County Executive for the daily briefing to discuss investigations into complaints of businesses violating the New York State on PAUSE executive order and individuals violating social distancing and mass gathering guidelines. 

“Every death in Albany County is a tragedy, period. We are aggressively testing both residents and our staff at Shaker Place to protect everyone there,” said County Executive McCoy. “That’s why we continue to follow the strictest CDC and State DOH protocols possible at Shaker Place and why we are now sending out masks to our older residents who receive home delivered meals. This right now is our highest priority.”

Sheriff Apple reported that while his office had received about 70 complaints of nonessential businesses continuing to operate and mass gatherings still occurring, there were no repeat offenders and no actions needed beyond cease-and-desist orders. He also noted that no Corrections Officers or inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 at the Albany County Jail to date, thanks in part to quick action to shut down visitation at the facility. A total of one nurse at the jail and two Deputy Sheriffs have tested positive since the outbreak began.

With estimates showing Albany County could be losing up to 12% of sales tax revenues during the pandemic and facing a $30 million budget hole, County Executive McCoy took a moment to thank Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and US Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer for securing more than $58,000 for the Albany County Courthouse. The funding, as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, can be used for things like personal protective equipment and other supplies, overtime pay, travel expenses and training for law enforcement.

County Executive McCoy took time to highlight the early success of the new drive-thru community testing site at Rite Aid, 1863 Central Avenue in Colonie that started yesterday thanks to a partnership with Town Supervisor Paula Mahan, Rite Aid and the US Dept. of Health and Human Services. Testing is free for those who are eligible based on CDC guidelines and are at least 18 years old. It will be available between 9am and 5pm, seven days a week by appointment only. Registration is now available at www.riteaid.com. Tests will be conducted from within an individual’s car with self-swab nasal tests and with the help of a pharmacist.

County Executive McCoy also highlighted the walk-up and mobile COVID-19 testing sites that he launched with the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center last week at locations across downtown Albany and in Watervliet. Testing is currently available at Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center at 920 Lark Drive in Albany, Monday through Friday from 9am to 4pm. The remainder of this week’s rotating schedule and locations of the three mobile testing sites can be found below, with next week’s schedule to be posted here when it becomes available. To date, 370 people have been tested at these sites. All testing is done by appointment only and after being screened for symptoms over the phone by calling the Whitney Young, Jr. Health Center at (518) 465-4771.

• Friday, April 24, 12noon–4:00pm 
  Capital South Campus, 20 Warren Street, Albany

For those experiencing stress, anxiety or depression while confined to their homes for extended periods of time, the Albany County COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line is available seven days a week from 8am to 8pm at (518) 269-6634. Anyone experiencing a psychiatric emergency should still call the Albany County Mobile Crisis Team at (518) 549–6500.

The County Executive continues to offer online videos on coping, crafts and reading, AAU karate, exercise, proper use of personal protective equipment and more.

Daily briefings are recorded and may be seen with slides on AlbanyCounty.com, the County’s Facebook page, public access channels—Open Stage Media in Schenectady and Channel Albany in the city of Albany and on Capitol OTB—Channel 1250 Spectrum and Channel 467 on Fios.

For all COVID-19 questions and concerns, including issues with price gouging and fraudulent products, residents are encouraged to use United Way’s 2-1-1 hotline as well as the State Department of Health’s hotline at 888-364-3065.