Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that as of this morning, there have now been 2,261 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County to date, an increase of 20 since yesterday. Additionally, the number of people under mandatory quarantine has decreased from 854 yesterday to 759 today. The five-day average for new daily positive cases is now down to 14.2 from 14.6 yesterday. There are currently 84 active cases, up from 82. So far, 6,972 people have completed quarantine, which is actually a decrease from 7,081 due to reporting adjustments that remove individuals from outside of Albany County. Of those who completed quarantine, 2,177 of them have tested positive and recovered, an increase of 18. 

There are still currently three individuals hospitalized, and the hospitalization rate remains at 0.13%. There are now no patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), down from one yesterday. Sadly, there were two residents who passed away since the last briefing – a man in his 80’s at St. Peter's Hospital and another man in his 90’s at St. Peter’s Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. Both men had underlying health conditions. The COVID-related death toll for the county now stands at 126 since the outbreak began. 

Among the new positive cases reported today include four with close contacts to positive cases, two who had reported traveling out of state, five who are healthcare workers and six who did not have a clear source of transmission. Three of today’s new positives have 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 43. 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. 

“As we continue to respond to this public health crisis, each time we lose a county resident due to COVID-related complications, I’m reminded of how important it is that we do what we can to stop the spread of the virus. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families and loved ones of these individuals who are mourning during this impossible time,” said County Executive McCoy. 

“This public health crisis quickly became a financial crisis in the early days of the economic shutdown, and it has devastated countless households struggling to put food on the table. And as the U.S. Senate continues to drag its feet on the next federal relief package and looks to slash the enhanced unemployment benefits, organizations like The Food Pantries for the Capital District will continue to be critical to the more than 23,000 that they help each year,” he continued. 

The Food Pantries for the Capital District is comprised of a network of 65 member food panties throughout the region, 32 of which are located in Albany County. These food pantries provide services during the entire year, and helped more than 23,000 people in Albany County with food over 147,000 times in 2019 alone. When the pandemic hit and was followed by the economic shutdown this year, nearly half of all food pantries experienced extreme increases in services, with some seeing 150% to 250% increases in services. All of The Food Pantries for the Capital District member pantries are currently open, they have implemented state health and safety guidelines and are safe to visit to those in need, and assistance is based on need, not income. You can visit their website at the link.

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

• 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.