Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that as of this morning, there have now been 2,310 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County to date, an increase of 6 since yesterday. Additionally, the number of people under mandatory quarantine has decreased from 609 yesterday to 575 today. The five-day average for new daily positive cases has dropped to 8.2 from 8.6 a day earlier. There are currently 31 active cases, down from 33. So far, 7,557 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 2,279 of them have tested positive and recovered, an increase of 8. 

There are currently two individuals hospitalized due to the virus, up from one yesterday, raising the hospitalization rate to 0.08% from 0.04%. There is now one patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), an increase of one since a day prior. Sadly, two additional COVID-related deaths were reported to the County Department of Health that had already been reported to the State. Two women in their 80’s passed away, both residents of St. Peter’s Nursing & Rehabilitation Center with multiple underlying health conditions. The death toll for the county stands at 128 since the outbreak began. 

Among the new positive cases reported today include two healthcare workers or those who live in congregate settings, two with close contacts to positive cases, one who had reported traveling out of state and one who did not have a clear source of transmission. None of the positives reported today 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. 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. County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen joined the County Executive for the briefing to discuss the data being monitoring on the County COVID-19 Dashboard Tracker.

“Albany County continues to fight a battle with two fronts: The ongoing COVID crisis and the spike in shootings in Albany, both of which have tragically taken too many lives and done untold harm to the community. I’m proud to take another step forward in addressing that gun violence by investing in these summer youth programs for at-risk youth,” said County Executive McCoy. “Law enforcement alone cannot address this issue. We need to invest in rewarding opportunities for our young people to learn and grow in safe environments, and we can do that through sports, physical fitness, the arts, mentorship, career development and more.”

"In the Albany County Legislature, we spell out our priorities in our budgeting," Chairman Andrew Joyce said. "We had the foresight in 2019 to move funding to our Department for Children, Youth and Families because we know how important youth programming is in our communities. We're very fortunate to be able to provide these resources to the amazing people who can implement them in a productive and safe manner."

County Executive McCoy and Albany County Legislature Chairman Joyce announced Albany County has contracted with five local organizations to provide rewarding experiences for this summer. Two of those, Jamil Hood’s House of Hoops and Just Be Ready, focus on basketball skills and drills, as well as mentorship components for at-risk youth. The third program, Mission of Courageous Hospitality developed by the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, will focus on character development and community service in light of the Black Lives Matter Movement and the recent gun violence in Albany. Physical fitness, including outdoor games and yoga, as well as mediation will also be included. 

Additionally, the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Capital District’s Urban Leadership Summer Teen Internship is a five-week program providing career development and college preparation workshops and helping with computer literacy and leadership skills. Performing arts and recreational activities will also be core parts of the program. Finally, Our Art Class will offer socio-emotional and trauma informed care workshops to families of the Arbor Hill neighborhood through painting, gardening and other forms of art. 

The County Executive announced Week 12 of the Albany County Stay Safe teen challenge in conjunction with AT&T and the Albany Police Athletic League. This week’s theme is “Coordinating Your Mask with Your Clothes.”  If you have a collection of masks and if you’re doing some back-to-school shopping, maybe you’re matching your mask your outfit. Post a photo or a video of how you’re coordinating everything to Instagram with the hashtag “#AlbanyCountyStaySafe” by Saturday, August 8th @ 11:59pm for your chance to win a $25 gift card to a local business. County Executive McCoy congratulated winners from Week 11, who learned some new hobbies during the quarantine. Malania Smith and Sapphire Jack have turned into artists. (pictured)

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.