Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that as of this morning, there are now 864 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County. Additionally, there are now 746 people under mandatory quarantine and 42 people under precautionary quarantine. To date, 1,960 individuals have completed quarantine, with 473 of them having tested positive and recovered. With 34 people now hospitalized, the hospitalization rate for Albany County stands at 3.94%, a slight uptick from yesterday’s rate of 3.83%. Seven of those individuals are currently in Intensive Care Units (ICU), a number unchanged since yesterday.

There are now 39 residents in total at Shaker Place Rehabilitation and Nursing Center who have tested positive, along with 15 employees, including one staff member who has recovered and returned to work. Maureen McGuinness, President of the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce, joined the County Executive for the briefing to discuss her organization’s work during the pandemic and the survey they conducted which found nearly half of their affiliated businesses reported that they were in danger of closing. 

“During the pandemic, we have seen both good and bad actors in our business community. My heart goes out to the establishments who are taking the hardest hit during the uncertain times, many of which have been a part of our community for decades, and we will do everything we can to support you. On the other hand, corporations who are looking to exploit residents during their time of need to make a quick buck will be held accountable,” said County Executive McCoy.

“At the beginning of the outbreak of COVID-19, I worked with United Way to establish the 2-1-1 hotline to help people report price gouging, and that’s exactly what we are hearing from Spectrum cable customers. I plan to work with District Attorney Soares to address this issue to protect local consumers who are struggling to make ends meet,” he continued.

According to the survey conducted by the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Bethlehem, 95% of the ninety local businesses that participated reported that the pandemic and subsequent economic shutdown are having negative impacts on them. Additionally, 44% of respondents claimed they are in danger of closing, 46% have already laid off workers and 34% have had supply chain issues, including increased price of goods and delays in shipping. The Chamber surveyed not only retail stores and restaurants, but also businesses in construction, manufacturing, agriculture, finance and insurance and others.

During the briefing, County Executive McCoy also announced that the Albany County Regional Immigration Assistance Center was chosen by the New York State Office of Indigent Legal Services to receive a three-year $1.6 million grant. The Center improves fairness in the court system by providing expert education, training and language support to attorneys representing non-citizen clients, ensuring their clients understand how their immigration status could be affected by criminal and family court proceedings. 

The County Executive also took time to thank the First Responders Children’s Foundation Mask Project and Aspire Technology Partners for a donation of several thousand surgical grade masks that will be distributed to first responders across Albany County.

County Executive McCoy yesterday announced next week’s schedule for walk-up community COVID-19 testing, a partnership between Albany County and the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center. Please note, that aside from the new times and locations for the rotating mobile sites, the times for daily testing at Whitney Young have also been updated. To date, 433 people have been tested. All testing is by appointment only, after being screened for symptoms over the phone. To be screened, please call (518) 465-4771. 

Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center - 920 Lark Drive, Albany
• Monday – 8:30am – 12pm 
•Tuesday – 1pm – 4pm 
• Wednesday – 8:30am – 12pm
• Thursday – 1pm – 4pm
• Friday – 8:30am – 12pm

Rotating Locations & Dates for the Week of April 27 through May 1
Each week the mobile sites will rotate morning & afternoon testing. The full updated schedule can be found at the Albany County website here.

• Monday, April 27
  • 9:00 am –12 noon Watervliet Health Center, 1804 Second Ave, Watervliet
  • 1:30 – 3:30 pm* Capital South Campus, 20 Warren Street, Albany
    *Time change due to South End Children’s Café Food Drive
    
• Tuesday, April 28
  • 9:00 am – 12 noon 55 Mohawk Street, Cohoes
  • 1:30 – 4:00 pm Watervliet Health Center, 1804 Second Ave, Watervliet
• Wednesday, April 29
  • 9:00 am – 12 noon Watervliet Health Center, 1804 Second Ave, Watervliet
  • 1:30 – 4:00 pm Equinox, 500 Central Ave, Albany
• Thursday, April 30
  • 9:00 am – 12 noon Capital South Campus, 20 Warren Street, Albany
  • 1:30 – 4:00 pm Watervliet Health Center, 1804 Second Avenue, Watervliet
• Friday, May 1
  • 9:00 am – 12 noon Location & Time TBD
  •  1:30 – 4:00 pm 55 Mohawk Street, Cohoes

County Executive McCoy also highlighted 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.

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.