Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that there have now been 2,383 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County to date, an increase of 21 since yesterday. Additionally, the number of people under mandatory quarantine has dropped down from 392 to 369 today. The five-day average for new daily positives has increased to 8.8 from 6.8 yesterday. There are currently 42 active cases, up from 27. So far, 8,238 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 2,341 of them had tested positive and recovered, an increase of 6. 

Among the new positive cases reported today include seven healthcare workers or residents of private congregate settings, nine who had a close contacts to other positive cases, two who had reported traveling out of state and three who do not have a clear source of transmission at this time. There are now six individuals hospitalized due to the virus, which went up since yesterday, and the hospitalization rate has risen slightly to 0.25%. There is still one patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Sadly, one more resident has passed away due to complications from the Coronavirus – a man in his 90’s who lived in a private nursing home with multiple underlying health conditions. Albany County’s death toll now stands at 129. 

The County Executive was joined by County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen for the briefing, as well as Infinite Care Child Care Center Owner Demetris Fullard who discussed some of the challenges she has faced during the economic shutdown and as she continues to operate amid the ongoing pandemic. 

“It’s now been five months since the first two cases of COVID-19 were identified in Albany County, and it comes as no surprise that our small businesses continue to struggle to meet their bottom lines. Infinite Care is no different, which in normal circumstances could serve over 60 children, but now that number had to be reduced to 15 to 20,” said County Executive McCoy. “Just like any other business, they need full capacity to pay their utility bills, insurance and their staff. Thankfully the Center for Economic Growth provided a grant which allowed them to survive and move forward.”

When the pandemic and economic shutdown hit, Fullard immediately got to work to find ways to support her business and keep her staff on the payroll. The grant her business on Quail Street received from the Center for Economic Growth was able to bridge the gap in time before she was able to access the loans provided under the federal Paycheck Protection Program.

Having heard reports from contact tracing teams having difficulty getting people to cooperate, County Executive McCoy urged those who receive calls from “NYS Contact Tracing” (518-387-9993) to pick up the phone. Many residents are understandably skeptical of unsolicited phone calls, but contact tracers need to be able to identify those who may have been infected and get them quarantined. Contact tracers will never ask for your social security number or financial information and they should always identify which agency they are calling from. 

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, 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.