Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that as of this morning, there have now been 2,241 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County to date, an increase of 12 since yesterday. Additionally, the number of people under mandatory quarantine has decreased from 900 yesterday to 854 today. The five-day average for new daily positive cases is now down to 14.6 from 18 yesterday. There are currently 82 active cases, down from 87. So far, 7,081 individuals have completed quarantine, while 2,159 of them have tested positive and recovered, an increase of 17. 

There are currently three individuals hospitalized, down from four yesterday, and the hospitalization rate has decreased to 0.13% from 0.17%. There is still one patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). There have been no new deaths reported since July 23 and the county’s death toll remains at 124 since the outbreak began. Among the new positive cases reported today include two with close contacts to positive cases, three who had reported traveling out of state, three who are healthcare workers and four did not have a clear source of transmission. 

One of the previously announced positives without a clear source of infection has now been linked to those who either attended the Fourth of July party on Hudson Avenue in Albany or were with the same group of people on July 3 or July 5. The total for that group now stands at 40. 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. County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen joined the County Executive for the briefing to discuss some of the data on the County COVID-19 Dashboard Tracker.

“While the Capital Region’s percent positive rate has been one of the highest in the State, Albany County’s continues its downward trend from 4.4% one month ago to 3.4% today. However, we continue monitor the 20 to 29 year old age group, which saw an increase of 51 cases in just the last week, and as we continue to respond to the spread of the virus from the Hudson Avenue party on the Fourth of July,” said County Executive McCoy. “These last two weeks have continued to demonstrate that even though many people are tired of social distancing and wearing masks, COVID-19 is still a very real threat for the public health and our economy.”

There have now been 451 positive COVID-19 cases associated with the 20 to 29 age group, distantly followed by 351 cases among residents in their 50’s. In terms of severity of illness, 71.8% of COVID-related deaths have been associated with those 75 years of age or older. Those in the 50 to 74 year age range made up 26.6% of all COVID-related deaths in the county. African Americans continue to be disproportionately affected by the virus in terms of hospital and ICU admissions, making up 26.2% and 30.4% of all admissions, respectively. As of July 26, 72,168 Albany County residents have been tested, with 2,453 having come back positive for the Coronavirus. 

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 

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.