Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County is now at 2,750 to date, an increase of 25 new positive cases since yesterday. Additionally, the number of people under mandatory quarantine jumped to 620 from 571. The five-day average for new daily positives ticked down to 19 from 19.6. There are now 115 active cases in the county, down from 117 yesterday. So far, 10,890 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 2,635 of them had tested positive and recovered. 

Of the new positive cases, 23 had close contact with positive cases, including 18 that are connected to University at Albany students. Two of the new cases announced today did not have a clear source of transmission at this time. There were once again no new hospitalizations overnight, with the number of county residents currently hospitalized due to the virus remaining at seven and the hospitalization rate remaining at 0.25%. There are still no patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and there were no new deaths to report. The county’s death toll remains at 134 since the outbreak began.

“While the economic shutdown has helped us control the spread of the virus, it has also left countless families devastated. Many have lost wages and hours, lost jobs and even lost their businesses, and food insecurity is becoming a serious issue. This can be seen at our County Department of Social Services, which saw SNAP applications jump from 974 in August of 2019 to 1,322 applications in August of this year,” said County Executive McCoy. 

“Part of this dramatic rise can traced back to the failure of the President and Congress to come to a compromise on the next stimulus package and the enhanced unemployment supplement. A bipartisan framework already exists that will restart this benefit and also bring $500 billion to Democratic and Republican state and local governments across the country. We need them to take action quickly,” he continued. 

On Tuesday, County Executive McCoy sent a letter to Congress as President of the County Executives Association of the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) in support of the stimulus package framework put forward by the Congressional Problem Solvers Caucus. In addition to the $500 billion, the letter also called for the funding to be flexible and unrestricted so governments can use it to fill budget deficits created by COVID and the economic shutdown. The County Executive also urged the modification of the original CARES Act to make funding available for localities with populations of less than 500,000.

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.

Locations & Dates for the Week of September 14
The full updated schedule can be found at the Albany County website here.

Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center - 920 Lark Drive, Albany

• Friday – 8:30am – 10:30am 

Community-wide testing continues on the University at Albany (SUNY) campus by appointment only for those with or without symptoms. Appointments may be made by calling the NYS hotline at 888-364-3065 or by visiting the State Department of Health website.

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.

The County Executive 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.