Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that the number of confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County to date remains at 2,458, reporting no new cases since yesterday. Additionally, the number of people under mandatory quarantine has dropped to 523 from 528. The five-day average for new daily positives has decreased to 3.2 from 4.4 yesterday. There are now 22 active cases, down from 25 a day ago. So far, 9,187 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 2,436 of them had tested positive and recovered, an increase of three.

The number of people hospitalized increased from seven to eight, raising the hospitalization rate from 0.28% to 0.32%. There is now one patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), up one from yesterday. There were no new deaths to report, and the county’s death toll stands at 131 since the outbreak began. The County Executive was joined by Albany County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen for the briefing, as well as the representatives from five local businesses to launch a new campaign to raise awareness of the plight of small businesses in the aftermath of the economic shutdown. 

“While many of our local small businesses continue to struggle to keep the lights on, big-box-stores have announced record growth in quarterly sales and tremendous increases in e-commerce sales in the second quarter. Throughout the pandemic, big-box stores were able the flourish while most mom and pop shops were forced to stay closed for months,” said County Executive McCoy. 

“Our local businesses have contributed so much to our neighborhoods and they donate to our nonprofits, some for generations. And for every dollar you spend patronizing them, 48 cents stays within your local community. Compare that to 14 cents when you shop at a chain store. I’m asking residents to give back to those who have been disproportionately impacted by the Coronavirus. That is the message of our Shop Local campaign,” he continued.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our communities.  Now more than any other time it is so important that we spend our dollars locally,” said B. Lodge & Co. Owners Mark & Jack Yonally. “Our small businesses are our neighbors, they support our kids’ fundraisers and they give back directly to our communities. They are there when we need them. Now they need you to be there for them.”

“Shop Local Campaigns are vital to our Capital Region’s economy.  Our local businesses support non-profits, employ many jobs and provide products and services that help our area prosper. My family has been operating our business since 1886 and without the support of our community, we can’t make it.  Now more than ever, we need to all work together which includes government, non-profits, businesses and residents,” said Phillips Hardware President & Owner Jonathan Phillips. “The support of our community makes the difference in keeping our lights on. Phillips Hardware is selling Flag and Star solar lights to help light up the Capital Region. These lights symbolize support for our local veterans and to remind our community that our businesses need our neighborhoods support to keep our lights on.  All profits from the sale of these lights are donated to Stride Wounded Warriors & Special Needs Youth Athletes. Let’s all work together to help our Capital Region local businesses & non-profits continue to provide their services to our community.   

"The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza is just one of the hundreds of Albany County businesses that were severely impacted by the mandatory closure of non-essential businesses. Over ten weeks of sales revenue was lost. Adding to this crisis is the public's migration to online shopping at levels never seen before and the possibility that we will never regain this business back,” said Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza Owner Susan Novotny. “On a positive note, 2020 is the 45th Anniversary of The Book House. Giving back to Albany County's charities and literacy programs has defined our engagement with the community for all these 45 years. Right now, we need the public to come back to our storefronts as we proceed into the fall and Holiday season, confident that our shopping environments are safe and secure. We are ready to serve you--- in-store, curbside, home delivery, on-line--- whatever it takes. We'd like to celebrate many more anniversaries in Albany County."

“As a local family business, community support means everything. It means for the past 70 years they have entrusted us with their Thursday night dinner after soccer practice, and their 200 person wedding.  Seeing them in our dining room (patio right now) reminds us why we keep going. We can't lie, it's been rough these past few months, but knowing our neighbors are with us, as seen in the smiling faces at curbside take out or Saturday date night or hosting family in the hotel, means so much to the team,” said The Century House General Manager Monica LaBree. “Local businesses employ their neighbors, support local charities such as our own Enjoy One Share One, meal for meal program, and in the case of the Century House, are aiding in the continuation of this local family business. Restaurants are there for you for your celebrations, and you donated gift certificates for your fundraisers. We need your support now to keep going.”

“I believe in buying local and supporting small businesses because the money stays in our community helping us keep jobs, which in term will circulate more money in the same area. But mostly because sales taxes are paid locally ensuring that they get reinvested where they belong,” said Central Avenue State Farm Agent Nicolas Morales. “This is particularly important in times of pandemic, where small business owners are struggling to keep their doors open, and the longer this pandemic lasts the more difficult it is to keep paying salaries.”

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. 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, 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.