Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that as of this morning, there are now 1,199 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County. Additionally, there are now 1,091 people under mandatory quarantine and 10 people under precautionary quarantine. To date, 2,589 individuals have completed quarantine, with 616 of them having tested positive and recovered. 

Unfortunately, there was an additional COVID-19 death overnight – a man in his 50’s with underlying health conditions. The death toll for the county now stands at 47. With 30 people now hospitalized, the hospitalization rate for Albany County stands at 2.5%, down from 2.86% yesterday. The number of those individuals who are in Intensive Care Units (ICU) remains at eight. There are now 48 residents in total at Shaker Place Rehabilitation and Nursing Center who have tested positive for COVID-19, including two who have recovered. Additionally, 15 employees who have tested positive remain out of work, while nine others who had tested positive have fully recovered and returned to work. 

United Way of the Greater Capital Region President and CEO Peter Gannon joined the County Executive for the briefing to announce they are donating $50,000 in COVID-19 relief aid to Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center. He also discussed the newly revamped, virtual 5.18 Day coming up on May 18, an opportunity for people to participate in large scale community service projects during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Establishing walk-up and mobile COVID-19 testing sites across Albany County with Whitney Young that helped to address health equity was a proud moment for my administration, because we know that only when we dramatically increase testing capacity can we begin to reopen the economy,” said County Executive McCoy. “I cannot begin to thank United Way for their partnership over the years, and especially during this crisis so we can continue to get as many people tested as possible.”

In less than two months, the Capital Region Community COVID-19 Response Fund established by United Way of the Greater Capital Region has already raised over $800,000 in charitable donations. Furthermore, they have distributed over $650,000 to over thirty local organizations who are on the frontlines of the epidemic, including the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, Food Pantries for the Capital District, Capital Roots and more. If anyone would like to contribute to the fund, they can text “COVID19” to 41444. You can also go to the United Way's website. Due to the ongoing pandemic, 5.18 Day this year will be completely virtual, and will feature a virtual 5K walk/run completed individually at one’s own pace and chosen location, a baby shower drive, a sidewalk chalk mural competition and more. Get involved in 5.18 Day here!

During the briefing, the County Executive took time to highlight a new program at the American Red Cross that provides emotional and spiritual support from case managers to grieving families who have lost loved ones to COVID-19. They will also assist with funeral arrangements and legal issues related to custody, estates, immigration and more: Get help by completing an online form Red Cross COVID-19 Family Support (English), or Cruz Roja COVID-19 Apoyo Familiar (español); or by calling (585) 957-8187.

County Executive McCoy announced recently the schedule this week’s walk-up community COVID-19 testing, a partnership between Albany County and the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center. The initiative has been expanded to take a regional approach to testing and help more people. The schedule is based on demand and mobile site locations are updated weekly based on that need. 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 – 12 noon
• Tuesday: 1:00 – 4pm 
• Wednesday: 8:30am –12 noon
• Thursday: 1:00 – 4:00pm
• Friday: 8:30am – 12 noon

Rotating Locations & Dates for the Week of May 4

Each week the mobile sites will rotate morning & afternoon testing. The full updated schedule can be found here.

• Monday, May 4
  • 9:00 am –12 noon: Watervliet Health Center, 1804 Second Ave, Watervliet
  • 1:30 – 4:00 pm: Equinox, 500 Central Ave, Albany
• Tuesday, May 5
  • 9:00 am – 12 noon: Front of the County Administration Building, 1000 7th Avenue, Troy
  • 1:30 – 4:00 pm: Front of the County Administration Building, 1000 7th Avenue, Troy
• Wednesday, May 6
  • 9:00 am – 12 noon: Equinox, 500 Central Ave, Albany
  • 1:30 – 4:00 pm: Watervliet Health Center, 1804 Second Ave, Watervliet
• Thursday, May 7
  • 9:00 am – 12 noon: Capital South Campus, 20 Warren Street, Albany
  • 1:30 – 4:00 pm: Front of City Hall—62 Washington St, Rensselaer
• Friday, May 8
  • 9:00 am – 12 noon: Whitney Young Troy Health Center, 849 2nd Ave, Lansingburgh
  • 1:30 pm – 4:00pm: Watervliet Health Center, 1804 Second Ave, Watervliet

The County Executive also highlighted the latest testing site in Albany County at Priority 1 Urgent Care, located in Hamilton Square at 2080 Western Avenue in Guilderland. The partnership was made possible by Albany County supplying the facility with critical personal protective equipment for the staff and supplemental test kits. The location, at the corner of Routes 20 and 155, is convenient for both those relying on public transportation and those traveling in their own vehicles from the City of Albany, New Scotland, the Hilltowns and Schenectady. Testing will be reimbursed by an individual’s health insurance, and will be done by appointments only after patients come in to be screened for expanded CDC symptoms. To schedule an appointment, you can call (518) 867-8040.

County Executive McCoy also encouraged those who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to access the drive-thru community testing site at Rite Aid, 1863 Central Avenue in Colonie that was launched in 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’s 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.