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, 81.2% of all Albany County residents have received at least the first dose of the vaccine. 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 has now reached 62,481 to date, with 21 new infections identified since yesterday and 100 new infections since the last update on Friday. The county’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases is now down to 29.5 from 36. 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 COVID cases per 100,000 is now down to 7.6 (with an average percent positive rate of 2.2%), and the Capital Region’s average of cases per 100,000 is down to 8.8 (with an average percent positive rate of 2.2%). The latest data and trends can be found at the state tracker here.

County Executive McCoy reported that there were no new COVID hospitalizations since yesterday and one since Friday. There are now ten county residents currently hospitalized with the Coronavirus – a net decrease of eleven since the last update. Of those hospital patients, one is now in an ICU, down from four. Unfortunately, there were three new COVID deaths since the last update, though none in the last 24 hours. A man in his 60’s and a woman in her 80’s were reported to have passed on Saturday, and another woman in her 40’s was reported to have passed on Sunday. The death toll for Albany County now stands at 536 since the outbreak began.

“It is never easy to lose a loved one, and the pandemic has taken too many lives over the last two years. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the deceased,” said County Executive McCoy. “Despite these tragedies, we continue to see signs of hope. Albany County now has the lowest number of COVID hospitalizations since August 6, and the last time our average percent positivity was this low was back on July 23. Less infections and hospitalizations mean fewer deaths in the future.”

County Executive McCoy continues to encourage residents to submit the positive results of at-home COVID testing on the county website, and they should utilize the online submission link here, or visit the Albany County website here.

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 required and 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 text their zip code to 898-211 or call 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.