Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that there have now been 2,411 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County to date, an increase of 5 since yesterday. Additionally, the number of people under mandatory quarantine has gone up to 524 from 467 yesterday. The five-day average for new daily positives has decreased to 10.4 from 11.4 yesterday. There are currently 41 active cases. So far, 8,426 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 2,370 of them had tested positive and recovered, an increase of 8.

Among the new positive cases reported today include three healthcare workers or residents of private congregate settings, one who had reported traveling out of state and one who does not have a clear source of transmission at this time. There are still seven individuals hospitalized due to the virus, and the hospitalization rate is 0.29%. There is still one patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). There were no new COVID-related deaths identified overnight, and Albany County’s death toll stands at 129.

As a reminder, the Albany County Department of Health is looking to contact anyone who went to two different hair braiding businesses as a precautionary measure for possible exposure to COVID-19. The first is Annie African Hair Braiding at 355 Central Avenue in Albany if you visited on  Monday, August 10 and Tuesday, August 11 from 4-4:30pm or Wednesday, August 12 between 4pm and 6pm.  The second is Adja African Hair Braiding at 622 Central Avenue in Albany if you visited on Thursday, August 13 between 4 and 7:30pm. Those who were at either establishment during these periods are asked to contact the Albany County Department of Health at 518-447-4640.

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

Rotating Locations & Dates for the Week of August 17

The full updated schedule can be found here.

• Tuesday, August 18: 9:00–11:00am
  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, 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.