Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that as of this morning, there have now been 2,096 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County to date, an increase of 17 since yesterday. Additionally, there are now 644 people under mandatory quarantine, up from 612. The five-day average for new daily positive cases has increased to 17.8 from 16.4 yesterday. There are currently 87 active cases, up from 84 yesterday. So far, 6,368 individuals have completed quarantine, with 2,009 of them having tested positive and recovered.

Four of today’s new positive cases were healthcare workers, two were people who traveled and four others who had contact with a positive case. There are currently 3 individuals hospitalized which is up one since yesterday and the hospitalization rate is now 0.14% up from 0.09% yesterday. There are still no individuals in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).  The county’s death toll remains at 122 people who have passed away from COVID-19 since the outbreak began. 

There have now been 22 positive cases in total that have been linked to the large backyard party on the Fourth of July on Hudson Avenue in Albany. County Executive McCoy continues to urge those who attended the party to call the Albany County Department of Health at (518) 447-4640 to get expedited testing.

“Congressman John Lewis was the perfect example of how one person’s righteous cause can change the course of history for the better. He fought for voting rights and other civil rights for African Americans when this country was gripped by racial upheaval. However, Congressman Lewis was a part of something so much larger than one man, and our nation is once again calling for change. It is now our responsibility to carry on his legacy. In his memory of the fight for equal rights, we must now continue to fight for full equality and equity of all people, no matter the color of their skin or where they were raised,” said County Executive McCoy. 

The County Executive continues to offer two gallons of hand sanitizer to businesses, nonprofits, churches and others 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.