Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that as of this morning, there have been 1,837 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County to date, an increase of two since yesterday. Additionally, there are now 173 people under mandatory quarantine and 1 person under precautionary quarantine. The five-day average for new daily positive cases is now 3.6. So far, 5,503 individuals have completed quarantine, with 1,775 of them having tested positive and recovered. The recovery rate for the county now stands at 96.6%.

There were no new deaths overnight, keeping the county’s total at 120 since the outbreak began. There are currently 7 individuals hospitalized, down from 10 yesterday. The hospitalization rate is now 0.38%, which is down slightly from 0.54% yesterday. There are still no individuals currently in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen joined the County Executive for the briefing.

"Today is undoubtedly an exciting day for so many hardworking residents of the Capital Region returning to work as we enter Phase 3. Businesses have made sacrifices that few will know or understand, which is why we must do everything we can to support them and ensure they’re creating safe environments for their staff and customers alike," said County Executive McCoy. 

"Recent testing shows that only 2.5% of Capital Region residents have the COVID-19 antibodies, which means the vast majority are still susceptible to the disease and we need to take every precaution to prevent any new outbreaks. If you’re a business that has submitted the required affirmation statement for reopening, please come down to the Times Union Center tomorrow and Friday where we will be providing hand sanitizer," he continued.

Businesses that have already submitted an affirmation statement for health and safety protocols on the New York Forward website can come to the Times Union Center Thursday and Friday between 9:30am and 4pm and pick up two gallons each of the New York State hand sanitizer. A representative needs to go to the back of the arena via Market Street and take a right onto the ramp leading to the back of the TU Center.

The County Executive shared information from his Control Room Call that random antibody testing done by the state shows 2.5% of Capital Region residents were positive for antibodies. That’s up from the state’s last random test which netted 2.2% were positive. He also shared that while the region begins Phase 3 today, other changes will be in effect starting Friday, with hospitals and group homes able to allow visitors if they pass a temperature check and wear the appropriate PPE, including face masks. This does NOT allow visitors into nursing homes.

During the briefing, County Executive McCoy took time to thank volunteers from The Community Hospice for "chalk bombing" the sidewalk at Shaker Place Rehabilitation and Nursing Center with messages of support for staff.

The County Executive reminded residents that coinciding with Phase 3, Albany County and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center will be providing a mobile COVID-19 testing site at the Times Union Center for those returning to work on Thursday from 9:30am to 1pm by appointment only. Media will not be allowed admittance due to privacy concerns. To make an appointment, please call (518) 465-4771. The remainder of this week’s schedule for Albany County’s walk-up community testing is listed below. The schedule is based on demand and mobile site locations are updated weekly based on that need.

Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center - 920 Lark Drive, Albany

• Friday: 8:30–10:30am 

Rotating Locations & Dates for the Week of June 15
The full updated schedule can be found at the Albany County website here.

• Thursday, June 18, 9:30am – 1:00pm 
  Times Union Center, 51 South Pearl Street, Albany

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.