Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy today provided the latest update on the county’s progress on controlling the spread of the Coronavirus. The total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County has now reached 73,809 to date, with 62 new infections identified since yesterday and 172 new infections since the last update on Tuesday. The county’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases is now down to 54.7 from 63.0. Please note that our overall case count will fluctuate as CommCare records are transferred in and out of the county.

The County Executive announced that Albany County’s most recent seven-day average of COVID cases per 100,000 individuals is now down to 14.7 (with an average percent positive rate of 7.1%). The Capital Region’s average of cases per 100,000 is now down to 15.4 (with an average percent positive rate of 6.8%). The latest data and trends can be found at the state tracker here.
                                                    
County Executive McCoy reported that there were two new COVID hospitalizations since yesterday and eleven new hospitalizations overall since Tuesday’s update. There are now 24 county residents currently hospitalized with the Coronavirus – a net decrease of four. Of those hospital patients, there are now two currently in ICU’s, down from three last reported. There is one new COVID death to report since the last update – a man in his 50’s. The death toll for Albany County now stands at 567 since the outbreak began.

“Sadly, I have to report the latest county resident losing their life to COVID-complications – a man in his 50’s – and my condolences go out to the family and loved ones. The virus can still be dangerous for some, especially the unvaccinated, older residents and those with underlying health conditions,” said County Executive McCoy.

“Having said that, there continues to be room for optimism. The number of residents currently hospitalized with the virus is now back down to where it was on April 22 and average COVID cases per 100,000 is down to levels we haven’t seen since April 4. Additionally, the wastewater surveillance data from the North and South wastewater treatment plants in Albany once again are showing decreasing levels of COVID intensity over the last two weeks, which means we will likely see fewer daily infections going forward,” he continued.

Due to New York State closing down its Virtual Call Center, there will be an unknown margin of error in the reporting of our COVID case data, as residency discrepancies and duplicative counting of cases may occur. The issue of data accuracy is compounded by the lack of reporting of at-home test results, which has been a consistent issue since the onset of Omicron. As we have reported previously, hospitalizations and deaths are the preferred metrics that many health professionals continue to use; however, if you use daily case count as a tool to make your personal decisions please do so with the understanding that there is a margin of error in this reporting.

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.