Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that as of this morning, there have now been 2,282 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County to date, an increase of 13 since yesterday. Additionally, the number of people under mandatory quarantine has increased from 748 yesterday to 755 today. The five-day average for new daily positive cases is now up to 12 from 11.8 yesterday. There are currently 64 active cases, down from 72. So far, 7,159 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 2,218 of them have tested positive and recovered, an increase of 21. 

There are still currently two individuals hospitalized due to the virus, and the hospitalization rate remains at 0.08%. There are still no patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). No new deaths have been reported, and the COVID-related death toll for the county stands at 126 since the outbreak began. Among the new positive cases reported today include five with close contacts to positive cases, one who had reported traveling out of state and five who did not have a clear source of transmission. 

Two 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 46. 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, and commends those who have already come forward. 

“There is no doubt that remote learning is far from ideal and can only be temporary. But forcing schools to hastily reopen full time, putting faculty, staff and parents at risk, is not the answer. I’m proud that these two superintendents, who lead two of our largest schools districts in Albany County, are listening to the real experts on reopening – our teachers and public health officials,” said County Executive McCoy. “Parents deserve to know that their children are safe when they leave the house if and when the Governor allows schools to reopen. These health and safety policies that develop in-person, remote and hybrid lesson plans are a positive step forward.” 

School districts across New York State were required to have completed their own individual reopening plans complete today, with full guidance that can be found at the link here. The final decision as to whether schools will actually get the greenlight to reopen will come from Governor Cuomo sometime next week. At the County Executive’s briefing today, both Albany City School District Superintendent Kaweeda Adams and South Colonie Central School District David Perry, Ph.D. discussed their efforts to reduce school population density, implement rigorous disinfecting regimens and health screenings for students and staff, and develop models for in-person and remote learning models should there be a second wave of the Coronavirus. 

Superintendent Adams has made it clear that all 10,000 students in the City of Albany School District would not be able to return full time, five days per week while still maintaining social distancing. Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade may return full time, while the middle and high schools will likely utilize a hybrid model of in-person and remote learning. Superintendent Perry, who oversees a school district of 5,000 students, has a similar plan to the City of Albany, with parents having the option of their children utilizing a fully remote model of learning if they are not comfortable sending them to school. The school district will be prioritizing pre-K through 6th grade for in person learning, as well as their self-contained special education students in pre-K through 12th grade.

During the briefing, County Executive McCoy announced that for the first time, vendors are now officially selling food and drinks along the Albany County Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail. Nercessian Kettle Corn is located at the Slingerlands trailhead and Sarchioto’s Concessions is located at the Albany trailhead, with more to come over the next week.

Below is next 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

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

Rotating Locations & Dates for the Week of August 3
The full updated schedule can be found at the Albany County website here.

• Tuesday, August 4, 9am – 11am 
Watervliet Health Center, 1804 Second Ave, Watervliet

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.