Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that as of this morning, there are now 1,644 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County, an increase of five in the last 24 hours. Additionally, there are now 848 people under mandatory quarantine and 7 people under precautionary quarantine. The five-day average for new daily positives has dropped to 5. To date, 4,451 individuals have completed quarantine, with 1,237 of them having tested positive and recovered. That brings the county’s recovery rate up to 75.2%. There have been no new deaths reported since Thursday morning’s briefing, with the county’s current death toll remaining at 76. 

There were no new hospitalizations overnight. With 27 people currently hospitalized, the hospitalization rate for Albany County stands at 1.64%, down from 2.01% yesterday. There are currently three people in Intensive Care Units (ICU), unchanged from yesterday’s briefing. County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen joined the County Executive for the briefing to discuss some of the more in-depth data they’re seeing on the County COVID-19 Dashboard Tracker and the State Department of Health COVID-19 Tracker.

“The data we’re seeing continues to leave us hopeful as we approach Phase 2 of reopening: Our percent positive results for those who are tested has dropped to 8.1%, our rate of recoveries is up to 75.2% and we haven’t lost a county resident to the virus since Wednesday night. We are moving in the right direction,” said County Executive McCoy.

“The only way we can continue to build on this progress is if we continue to be cautious, social distance ourselves, wear masks when out in public and get tested for the virus. It’s never been easier to get a test in Albany County, especially for those who are symptomatic and essential employees returning to work,” he continued. 

As of May 25, 22,032 county residents have been tested, and of those, 8.1% tested positive. On May 16, 17,226 people had been tested with a percent positive rate of 9.2%. The 50 to 59 and 20 to 29 age groups continue to have the highest number of positive cases, with 284 and 270, respectively. The next highest is the 60 to 69 age group with 205 positive cases. The 12203 zip code, which includes parts of Albany and Guilderland, continues to have the highest concentration of positive cases with 238, followed by 12208 in Albany with 131 positive cases.

During the briefing, the County Executive discussed some of the complexities of enforcement and compliance of the new state mandated requirements on reopening businesses. Governor Cuomo’s April 15 executive order requires all residents to wear face masks or coverings when they are unable to maintain six feet of social distance in order to stop the spread of the virus. Businesses are encouraged to enforce this with their customers and they have discretion to refuse service for those who are not complying. Those who would like to file a complaint against a business who is not upholding any of the state’s guidelines for reopening can call 1-833-789-0470 or use this link.

County Executive McCoy also announced that public health and safety plans have been prepared and presented to the Capital Region Control Room for local high school graduations at the Times Union Center. Policies will ensure social distancing and mask wearing is adhered to while still providing local families with the milestone experience. The final step before any announcement of graduation dates will come after the county receives official guidance from the Governor’s Office.

The remainder of this week’s schedule for Albany County’s walk-up mobile testing sites is below and is posted on the county website. To date, 1,410 people have gotten tested at the Capital Region 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

• 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.

• 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.