Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County is now at 3,010 to date, an increase of 28 new positive cases since yesterday. Please note that our overall case count will fluctuate as the CommCare records for college students are transferred to the county in which they are isolating for their daily monitoring and then transferred back to Albany County for the final case count.

Additionally, the number of people under mandatory quarantine is 967. The five-day average for new daily positives has increased to 14.8 from 13 yesterday. There are now 98 active cases in the county, up from 93. So far, 12,596 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 2,912 of them had tested positive and recovered. Among the new positive cases, 17 had close contact with positive cases, one is a healthcare worker or resident of a congregate setting, two reported out-of-state travel and eight did not have a clear source of transmission at this time. Separately, 10 of the reported positives for today are associated with the University at Albany. 

There was one new hospitalization to report since yesterday, while the number of county residents currently hospitalized due to the virus dropped to four from five yesterday. The hospitalization rate remained at 0.16%, and there is now one patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Sadly, another Albany County resident died yesterday. He was man in his 70’s with underlying health conditions. The county’s death toll is now 135 since the outbreak began.

“Unfortunately, after just shy of 3 weeks, I have to report another Albany County resident losing his life to the Coronavirus. My condolences go out to his family and all the other families who have lost loved ones throughout the pandemic,” said County Executive McCoy.

“While the University at Albany has gotten a lot of attention after the recent outbreak, we seem to have turned a corner, as the percentages of students that make up our daily totals are on the decline. It went from over 84% back on September 18, to 61% a week later, to just over 13% yesterday. However, this doesn’t change the fact that we still had 28 positive cases today and we need to continue to wear masks, socially distance and get tested,” he continued. 

During the briefing, the County Executive also took time to highlight the county-owned Shaker Place Rehabilitation and Nursing Center being honored by the American Health Care Association with the Silver National Quality Award for Achievement in Quality. Two years ago, Shaker Place received the Bronze Award for taking steps toward improving the care provided to the seniors and veterans who call it home. 

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. 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 October 5
The full updated schedule can be found at the Albany County website here.

Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center - 920 Lark Drive, Albany
• Monday – 8:30am – 11:30am 
• Friday – 8:30am – 11:30am 

Watervliet Health Center, 1804 Second Ave, Watervliet (Mobile Site)
• Wednesday – 8:30am – 11:30am 

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.

CVS is offering drive-thru testing at select stores. You must register online for an appointment. To do that and find locations offering the drive-thru testing, go to the CVS website.

For the all latest data on COVID testing and results, you can refer to the County COVID-19 Data Dashboard, as well as the New York State Department of Health COVID-19 Tracker.

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.