Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today with County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen that as of this morning, there are now 1,639 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County. Three of yesterday’s reported overnight new positive cases were found to be Rensselaer County residents, and there were two new positive cases over the last 24 hours. Additionally, there are now 862 people under mandatory quarantine and 5 people under precautionary quarantine. 

To date, 4,378 individuals have completed quarantine, with 1,200 of them having tested positive and recovered. That brings the county’s recovery rate up to 73.2%. There have been no new deaths reported since Thursday morning’s briefing, with the county’s current death toll remaining at 76. With 33 people currently hospitalized, the hospitalization rate for Albany County stands at 2.01%, up from 1.7% yesterday. There are currently three people in Intensive Care Units (ICU), up one since yesterday’s briefing. 

Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple, Sr. also joined the County Executive for the briefing to discuss what he has been seeing during the pandemic, including COVID-19 related complaints against businesses and individuals, drug and mental health issues, personal protective equipment giveaways and more.

“As we get closer to entering Phase 2 of reopening the Capital Region economy, it’s important to take stock of the small victories during this pandemic. Today is the fifth day that I don’t have to report any new COVID-19 related deaths in Albany County. That’s something we can all be proud of because it is the hard work and sacrifices we have made together as a community through social distancing, wearing masks and avoiding large crowds,” said County Executive McCoy.

“While we can celebrate some good news, I’m happy Sheriff Apple was here to highlight the fact that heroin overdose deaths alone continue to far outpace COVID-19 related deaths in the Capital Region. I hope any resident who needs it will take part in our Opioid Overdose Prevention training that will now be provided every Tuesday through Zoom where they can access NARCAN as well,” he continued.

This week’s schedule for Albany County’s walk-up mobile testing sites is below and is posted on the county website. To date, 1,377 people have gotten tested at the Albany County sites. 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

• Tuesday: 9:00am – 12noon
• Wednesday: 1:30 – 4:00pm
• Thursday: 1:30 – 4:00pm
• Friday: 9:00am – 12noon

Rotating Locations & Dates for the Week of May 26
Each week the mobile sites will rotate morning & afternoon testing. The full updated schedule can be found here.

• Tuesday, May 26
  • 9:00am – 12noon: Watervliet Health Center, 1804 Second Ave, Watervliet
  • 1:30 – 4:00pm: Front of the Rensselaer County Administration Building, 1600 7th Ave, Troy
• Wednesday, May 27
  • 1:30 – 4:00pm: Capital South Campus, 20 Warren St, Albany
• Friday, May 29
  • 9:00am – 12noon: Watervliet Health Center, 1804 Second Ave, Watervliet
  • 1:30 – 4:00pm: Whitney Young Troy Health Center, 849 2nd Ave, Lansingburgh

County Executive McCoy continues to highlight the latest testing site in Albany County at Priority 1 Urgent Care that is now also providing antibody testing, 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. 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. Priority 1 is also now doing antibody testing. To schedule an appointment, you can call (518) 867-8040.

County Executive McCoy also encouraged those who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to register for the drive-thru community testing site at Rite Aid, 1863 Central Avenue in Colonie. More than 1,300 tests have been administered at this site. 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 24-hour sexual assault hotline number is (518) 447-7716.

The County Executive continues to offer online videos on coping, crafts and reading, AAU karate, exercise, proper use of personal protective equipment and more.