Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that as of this morning, there have now been 2,009 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County to date, an increase of 2 since yesterday. Additionally, there are now 462 people under mandatory quarantine, up from 413. The five-day average for new daily positive cases has now dropped down to 8.8 from 10.4 yesterday. There are currently 38 active cases, down from 43 yesterday. So far, 6,125 individuals have completed quarantine, with 1,971 of them having tested positive and recovered.

There are still currently 2 individuals hospitalized – one male and one female – and the hospitalization rate remains at 0.09%.  There was one new hospitalization 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. 

County Executive McCoy announced yesterday that due to the success of the program, he has worked with the Albany Police Athletic League and AT&T to extend the Albany County Stay Safe Teen Challenge by another eight weeks. The theme for Week 9 is “Change the World.” The world has changed over the last several months, and if you could do something to change the world or raise awareness for an issue, what would it be? Let your friends know how you’re changing the world and get them involved as well. 

Participants should post a photo or video while practicing social distancing or wearing a mask to Instagram with the hashtag #AlbanyCountyStaySafe by Saturday, July 18 at 11:59pm. The County Executive also congratulated Week 7 winner, Adellyn Dunbar from Voorheesville, who was making her favorite home cooked meal – chicken alfredo.

Below is the remainder of this 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

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

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.