Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that as of this morning, there have now been 2,125 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County to date, an increase of 27 since yesterday. Additionally, there are now 578 people under mandatory quarantine, down from 590. The five-day average for new daily positive cases is now up to 11.8 from 9 yesterday. There are currently 77 active cases, up from 67 yesterday. So far, 6,574 individuals have completed quarantine, with 2,048 of them having tested positive and recovered, which is up 17. 

There are still currently three individuals hospitalized and the hospitalization rate remains at 0.14%. There was one new hospitalization overnight and there is still one individual 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. 

Of the new positive cases reported today, nine are close contacts to positive cases, five are healthcare workers, four reported traveling out of state and 6 did not have a clear source of transmission. There have 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.

“Whether or not you believe in the seriousness of COVID-19 in some ways irrelevant. Governor Cuomo has made it clear that if we see large spikes in positive cases – which could later lead to spikes in hospitalizations – he will roll back the reopening of our economy. This would be devastating not only to the public, but to the businesses who have sacrificed so much and have been enforcing the health and safety guidelines,” said County Executive McCoy. 

“That’s why I’m asking everyone to do their part and not take unnecessary risks that could potentially risk the health of others and set us back. That includes having large parties, traveling out of state and allowing crowding at bars. And while we know there are people of all age groups who contribute to this, we also know that there have now been over 400 positive cases among those between 20 and 29, by far the highest of any age group,” he continued. 

In response to a number of complaints, County Executive McCoy during the briefing discussed state guidelines for traveling sports teams. Lower risk sports that are actually allowed to play competitively are not permitted to travel out of state. Traveling sports teams may travel within their home region and into region’s that they share a border with.

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, 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.