Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that as of this morning, there have been 1,828 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County to date, an increase of 1 since yesterday. Additionally, there are now 367 people under mandatory quarantine and 1 person under precautionary quarantine. The five-day average for new daily positive cases remains at 3.8. So far, 5,388 individuals have completed quarantine, with 1,617 of them having tested positive and recovered. 

Sadly, one county resident passed away overnight – a woman in her 80’s with multiple underlying health issues. That brings the death toll to 119 since the outbreak began. There are currently 11 individuals hospitalized, bringing the hospitalization rate to 0.6%, which is up slightly from 0.54% yesterday. There are still no individuals currently in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). 

The County Executive brought in County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen and Albany Public Library Executive Director Scott Jarzombek to discuss how libraries are safely reopening through a phased approached. APL staff has now returned and book drops and returns will be available tomorrow. Curbside pickup will be available in the next few weeks and visits by appointment will soon follow. For information on libraries in your own town and where they are in the reopening process, please follow this link here.

“While many adults have been able to go back to work, enjoy the local outdoor dining scene and return to a level of normalcy in their lives, it’s important to remember that schools have been shuttered for nearly three months now and children are in need of a similar sense of normalcy and have some fun with friends. That’s why it’s critical we are able to get our libraries up and running safely and why we cannot wait until July 6 for youth sports to resume,” said County Executive McCoy.

“The people of the Capital Region and Upstate New York have demonstrated that by and large, they can be responsible and do their part to control the spread of the virus. Our children should not have to unnecessarily suffer, which is why I’m asking Governor Cuomo to shorten the timeline for the return of youth sports to Phase 4 at the latest,” he continued. 

The County Executive announced that with Phase 3 starting Wednesday, Albany County and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center will be providing a mobile testing site for those returning to work at the Times Union Center on Thursday from 9:30am to 1pm by appointment only. To make an appointment, you will need to call (518) 465-4771.

This week’s schedule for Albany County’s walk-up community COVID-19 testing is listed below. Please note the updated daily 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

• Wednesday: 8:30am – 10:30am 
• Friday: 8:30am – 10:30am 

Rotating Locations & Dates for the Week of June 15

The full updated schedule can be found here.

• Tuesday, June 16, 9am – 11am 
  Watervliet Health Center, 1804 Second Ave, Watervliet
• Thursday, June 18, 9:30am – 1pm
  Times Union Center, 51 S. Pearl St, Albany, NY

The County Executive shared some inspiring words from high school student Makayla Mackey who reflected on the state of our country and a speech given by former First Lady Michelle Obama. Inspiring words as an excerpt is shared: 

“My voice is something only I have, yet it seems it is constantly taken away. Although I still have hope. Hope is an overused but strong word. A word that Michelle Obama, the former First Lady of America, said that she used every moment of her life, so therefore I can. I can hope that my dream of becoming a surgeon will come true. I can hope that I can be seen as an equal, and not as if my skin tone automatically defines who I am.”

And “Our country is great, but is also a sinking ship. Protests, Riots, Looting, A global pandemic, child trafficking, and much more. The change I want to see, the change my peers want to see is global. I want to see love. I want to see equality. I want to stop seeing hate spread all the time. It all starts with my generation, my peers, my friends, my siblings. It all starts with we, not just me. My voice, our voice, my knowledge, our knowledge, my hope, our hope will change America for future generations.”

County Executive McCoy also announced the fifth week of the #AlbanyCountyStaySafe teen challenge in partnership with Albany PAL and AT&T. Encouraging 13 to 18 year olds to demonstrate how they’re staying productive while also social distancing, avoiding large crowds and wearing masks. The week 5 challenge: Father’s Day is Sunday. Fathers have been wearing many hats, including that of a parent, teacher at home and even working. How are you going to say “thank you, dad” this father’s day while staying safe and obeying the social distancing guidelines if you’re out? Post a photo or video to Instagram with the hashtag #AlbanyCountyStaySafe by Saturday, June 20 at 11:59pm. Winners will be randomly picked and win $25 gift cards to a local business. The County Executive shared two of the winners of Week 3 of the challenge – Briana Morton and Kaitlyn Hebert -- who were selected for their posts “Reimagining prom or that special end of year dance” in their dresses. (photo attached).

County Executive McCoy continues to highlight the testing site in Albany County at Priority 1 Urgent Care, which 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 encourages 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.