Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that as of this morning, there are now 915 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County. Additionally, there are now 803 people under mandatory quarantine and 32 people under precautionary quarantine. To date, 2,027 individuals have completed quarantine, with 478 of them having tested positive and recovered. The County Executive had to report the sad news of another death – a women in her 60’s. That brings the total COVID-19 death toll for the county to 32.

With 37 people now hospitalized, the hospitalization rate for Albany County stands at 4.04%, a slight uptick from yesterday’s rate of 3.94%. Seven of those individuals are currently in Intensive Care Units (ICU), a number unchanged since yesterday. There are now 42 residents in total at Shaker Place Rehabilitation and Nursing Center who have tested positive, along with 17 employees, including two staff members who have recovered and returned to work. 

Tom Nardacci, CEO of Gramercy and Aurelius Coworks, joined County Executive McCoy to discuss how businesses are adapting in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak and economic shutdown, including the need to “throw out the old playbook.” Mark Quandt, Executive Director of the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, was also a part of the briefing to talk about how his organization is helping families put food on the table and was presented with a $10,000 check by the County Executive, made possible thanks to a generous donation from the Muslim community through the United Way of the Greater Capital Region. (picture attached with Peter Gannon of United Way of the Greater Capital Region)

“In the age of COVID-19, every aspect of society will need to change to prevent as many tragedies as possible, especially considering the possibility of a second wave later this year. That means not only will the private sector have to make painful sacrifices and reinvent how it operates, but so too will government in the short and long terms,” said County Executive McCoy. 

“I want to once again thank the Muslim community for its generosity during these unprecedented times. No family should have to choose between paying the bills and putting food on the table. Our partnership with the Regional Foodbank and the New York National Guard is ensuring those who have lost jobs and are placed under mandatory quarantine won’t have to make that impossible decision,” he continued.

The Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York serves food pantries in 23 counties in the eastern portion of the state. Since March 16, they have seen a shocking 50% uptick in the number of people they are serving and have distributed more than 5 million pounds of food to those in need, with more and more residents being forced to file for unemployment. 

During the briefing, County Executive McCoy took time to thank Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan and Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro for their partnership in donating needed gowns and Tyvek suits, which are critical to healthcare workers on the front line of the pandemic.  

Next week’s schedule for walk-up community COVID-19 testing has been announced, a partnership between County Executive McCoy 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, including 357 at Albany sites and 76 at the Watervliet sites. 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 – 12noon
• Tuesday: 1:00 – 4:00pm 
• Wednesday: 8:30am – 12noon
• Thursday: 1:00– 4:00pm
• Friday: 8:30am – 12noon

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 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 – 4:00pm: 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 – 4:00pm: 55 Mohawk Street, Cohoes

County Executive McCoy also highlighted the drive-thru community testing site at Rite Aid, 1863 Central Avenue in Colonie that started last week 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.