Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County is now at 2,627 to date, an increase of 23 new positive cases since yesterday. Additionally, the number of people under mandatory quarantine has increased to 393 from 341. The five-day average for new daily positives has jumped to 11.6 from 7.6. There are now 67 active cases in the county. So far, 10,355 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 2,560 of them had tested positive and recovered.

Among the new positives reported today, 20 had close contact with positive cases, two are healthcare workers or residents of congregate settings and one did not have a clear source of infection at this time. This is the third day that there were no new hospitalizations to report, with 14 residents still currently hospitalized due to the virus. The hospitalization rate remains at 0.5%. There is still one patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). The county’s death toll remains at 133 since the outbreak began. 

The County Executive was joined by University at Albany President Havidán Rodríguez, Vice President for Student Affairs Michael Christakis and Albany County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen to discuss the measures being taken in response to the recent spike in positive cases discovered among student athletes, off-campus housing students and various other sources of transmission. 

“In less than 48 hours, 31 positive cases of COVID-19 were identified among UAlbany students. While some of these have been previously reported and some are not county residents, we also announced 23 new positive cases in the county since just yesterday. That’s the highest daily number since August 12. Right now, we’re at a crossroads to determine the future of in-person learning at the university,” said County Executive McCoy. 

“I’m proud Albany County has been able to work in partnership with President Rodríguez and Vice President Christakis to quickly respond to this serious situation, and I commend the move to temporarily suspend athletic programs and get every student athlete tested weekly until we get this outbreak under control. However, it’s ultimately up to the students to decide what the remainder of their semester looks like. They need to do the right thing by wearing masks, practice social distancing and avoiding large gatherings,” he continued. 

Part of the reason for the delay in the reporting of the 40 total positive cases identified as of last night among University at Albany students is due to some utilizing point-of-care tests, which are tests conducted at urgent care or doctors’ offices and make the results available during the same visit. The tests results are not automatically reported to local health departments, though a recent executive order issued by Governor Cuomo this week now requires the reporting of results within three hours. 

President Rodríguez announced that the students who have tested positive for the virus have already been placed under quarantine and are being monitored. Starting immediately, all student athletes will participate in pooled surveillance tests every week on campus and the university is currently in the process of testing all student athletes, having already collected 370 saliva samples as of last night. Additionally, all athletic activities have been temporarily suspended indefinitely. Student ambassadors and student officials are also being utilized to identify areas in Albany neighborhoods with high concentrations of student residents to prevent large gatherings. Any student found to be in violation of the university code of conduct and COVID pledge that they signed upon returning to campus will be suspended immediately.

County Executive McCoy continues to highlight the testing site in Albany County at Priority 1 Urgent Care, which also provides 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.

Walgreens is now operating a testing facility at the 41 Holland Avenue location utilizing a self-collection model. Residents will be able to remain in their cars while assisted by pharmacists when necessary. Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, individuals who are 18 years or older may be tested once completing an eligibility assessment at the Walgreens website or at their app. Patients can get their results from PWNHealth. 

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.