Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that as of this morning, there are now 1,688 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County to date, an increase of 2 in the last 24 hours. Additionally, there are now 682 people under mandatory quarantine and 6 people under precautionary quarantine. The five-day average for new daily positives is now down to 10.2. So far, 4,510 individuals have completed quarantine, with 1,340 of them having tested positive and recovered. That brings the county’s recovery rate up to 79.38%. 

While there have been no new deaths overnight, sadly there had been 24 deaths at three private nursing homes between April 21 and May 26. They had been reported to the State but not to the Albany County Department of Health. Since they had already been included in all state metrics, it does not impact our ability to transition into Phase 2 of reopening. There were 21 women and 3 men; one in their 50’s, 2 in their 70’s, 3 in their 80’s, 16 in their 90’s and 2 over 100. This brings the county’s new death toll to 111.

The number of county residents currently hospitalized dropped from 27 to 20, bringing the hospitalization rate to 1.18% from 1.6% yesterday. There are currently three people in Intensive Care Units (ICU), unchanged from yesterday’s briefing. Second Chance Opportunities, Inc. Executive Director Kellie Roe joined the County Executive for the daily briefing to discuss the challenges of those dealing with drug and alcohol addictions during the pandemic without access to in-person support group meetings.

“While we make progress on stopping the spread of COVID-19 in Albany County and the Capital Region, it’s critical that we don’t lose sight of some of the fallout the virus has had beyond public health. Those struggling with addiction are feeling the additional burden of not being able to meet with people who understand what they’re going through and isolation is exacerbating depression issues. We need to ensure that those who need mental health services know that they have not been forgotten about,” said County Executive McCoy. 

“As we continue to watch the data, it’s becoming clear that our mobile testing sites are not being utilized as much as they were when we first launched the initiative. That’s why we’re expanding our criteria to get tested for essential workers and those returning to work in our minority communities. I’m also asking community leaders to help us with the outreach so these neighborhoods know that testing is available,” he continued.

Local nonprofit Second Chance Opportunities, which is tasked with helping people in recovery from substance use disorder, unfortunately had to shut its doors on March 19. Since then, they have created a “virtual community” that includes daily Zoom meetings (not Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous), which can consist of group coffee breaks with a recovery coach in the morning. They’re also offering one on one peer-to-peer support with someone who has previous experience with addictions. Ms. Roe also said her organization has handled 50 referrals since the economic shutdown for mental and physical health services.

County Executive McCoy began the daily briefing by addressing the ongoing protests and unrest across the United States in response to the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The County Executive encouraged anyone taking part in protests in Albany today to have their voices be heard, but do so peacefully and safely by social distancing and wearing masks.

Next week’s schedule for Albany County’s walk-up mobile testing sites is below. Please note the updated timeframes for each site. 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 – 11:30am
• Tuesday – 8:30am – 11:30am 
• Wednesday – 8:30am – 11:30am 
• Thursday – 8:30am – 11:30am  
• Friday – 8:30am – 11:30am 

Rotating Locations & Dates for the Week of June 1
The full updated schedule can be found at the Albany County website here.

• Monday, June 1, 9am – 11am
Watervliet Health Center, 1804 Second Ave, Watervliet

• Tuesday, June 2, 9am – 11am 
Capital South Campus, 20 Warren St, Albany

• Wednesday, June 3, 9am – 11am 
Front of the Rensselaer County Administration Building, 1600 7th Ave, Troy

• Thursday, June 4, 9am – 11am  
Whitney Young Troy Health Center, 849 2nd Ave, Lansingburgh

• Friday, June 5, 9am – 11am  
Watervliet Health Center, 1804 Second Ave, Watervliet

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. 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 on the Albany County official website at the following link: COVID-19 Resources & Videos Link