Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that as of this morning, there have now been 1,915 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County to date, an increase of 14 since yesterday. Additionally, there are now 224 people under mandatory quarantine. Under the new state tracking system, there is no longer a precautionary quarantine distinction, and all quarantines are tracked together. The five-day average for new daily positive cases is now 5.4. There are currently 39 active cases of COVID-19. So far, 5,768 individuals have completed quarantine, with 1,876 of them having tested positive and recovered.  

There are currently five individuals hospitalized, unchanged since yesterday, and the hospitalization rate remains at 0.26%. There were no new hospitalizations overnight and there is still one person in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The death toll for Albany County stands at 121 since the outbreak began. County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen joined the County Executive for the briefing. 

“Despite what we’re seeing across the country, with exponential growth of infection numbers in some states, it baffles me that some people still refuse to wear masks in public and disregard state health guidelines. And while it’s easy to dismiss what’s happening in other states, today we saw the highest jump in new cases here since June 4, and this needs to be a wakeup call,” said County Executive McCoy. 

“However, we know that there are countless people who have helped us flatten the curve by staying home as much as possible and social distancing, and this can be equally difficult for parents and children alike. That’s why I’m happy to announce our Summer Fun in Cohoes outdoor activities, as well as our Youth Internship Program made possible with our partners at the Boys & Girls Club and the Capital District YMCA. These initiatives will ensure kids have safe and healthy ways to enjoy the summer months and get some work experience,” he continued. 

Summer Fun in Cohoes is a three week program for kids ages 7 to 13 to play outdoor, socially distanced games beginning this Monday at Lansing Park. It will include Baggo, KanJam, badminton, homerun derby, kickball, karate lessons, crafts, some educational opportunities and more. The program will be open to Cohoes residents for the first week, and then Cohoes, Green Island and Watervliet residents in the second and third weeks. Between Monday and Friday, the park will be open for the program from 10am to 2pm. Lunch will be provided and masks are required. The initiative was made possible through a partnership between the County Executive, Cohoes Mayor Bill Keeler and County Legislators Gil Ethier and Bill Ricard. You can register at the Department of Recreation website here.

During the briefing, County Executive McCoy also took time to thank Scotts Miracle-Gro, which has been producing large quantities of face shields to donate to various government agencies around the country. They will be extremely helpful to the frontline workers of Albany County. (picture attached)

The County Executive continues to offer two gallons of hand sanitizer to businesses who have filed their health and safety plan affirmation statements. Anyone interested who has not already received any hand sanitizer can go to the back of the Times Union Center by taking Market Street, follow the ramp to the right and call (518) 487-2023 when you arrive. This will run each week, Monday through Friday, from 8am to 6pm.

Below is next week’s schedule for Albany County’s walk-up COVID-19 mobile testing sites, a collaboration with the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center. The schedule is based on demand and mobile site locations are updated weekly based on that need.  Testing is for those experiencing symptoms, essential workers and those returning to work 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 – 10:30am 
• Wednesday – 8:30am – 10:30am
• Friday – 8:30am – 10:30am 

Rotating Locations & Dates for the Week of July 6
The full updated schedule can be found at the Albany County website here.

• Tuesday, July 7, 9am – 11am 
Watervliet Health Center, 1804 Second Ave, Watervliet

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 during the ongoing pandemic and gun violence in the City of Albany, the Albany County Mental Health Support Line is available seven days a week, now from 8am to 5pm 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.