Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that as of this morning, there have now been 1,997 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County to date, an increase of 15 since yesterday. Additionally, there are now 387 people under mandatory quarantine, up from 325. The five-day average for new daily positive cases has now ticked up to 8.8, up from 6.8 yesterday. There are currently 43 active cases of COVID-19, up from 36 yesterday. So far, 6,035 individuals have completed quarantine, with 1,954 of them having tested positive and recovered.

There are still currently 3 individuals hospitalized and the hospitalization remains at 0.15%. There were no new hospitalizations overnight and there are still no individuals in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). There have been no new deaths reported since June 24, keeping the death toll for Albany County at 121 since the outbreak began. 

“It’s certainly too early to sound the alarm, but today’s latest numbers could be early indicators of what’s to come. Fifteen new positive cases in one day is now the highest we’ve seen since June 4. While it’s true that more people are getting tested, we also had one new overnight hospitalization each day from Wednesday to Saturday,” said County Executive McCoy. “We’ve come a long way here in Albany County, and we cannot get overly comfortable or lazy, otherwise we will undo all of our hard-earned progress. Please wear a mask, practice social distancing and wash your hands regularly.”

The County Executive reminds local nonprofit organizations that a Request for Quotes (RFQ) for funding for summer youth programs has been issued. In order to help address the gun violence witnessed in the City of Albany, Albany County is looking to fund organizations with experience providing healthy, safe and rewarding experiences during the summer months in the realms of sports, arts, music and more. Applications need to be submitted by close of business on Monday, July 13. All questions and submissions should be directed at the Albany County Division of Purchasing at (518)447-7140 or by going to their county website here. Vendors can also register to apply here.

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 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 13
The full updated schedule can be found at the Albany County website here.

• Tuesday, July 14, 9am – 11am 
Watervliet Health Center, 1804 Second Ave, Watervliet

The County Executive continues to offer two gallons of hand sanitizer to businesses who have filed their health and safety plan affirmation statements, and invites local Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), Chambers of Commerce and others to help distribute to their members. 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.

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. 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.