Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County is now at 3,255 to date, an increase of 27 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 has jumped to 914 from 870. The five-day average for new daily positives also increased to 18.6 from 16. There are now 109 active cases in the county, up from 101 yesterday. So far, 14,179 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 3,146 of them had tested positive and recovered. Among the new positive cases, 17 had close contact with positive cases, one reported out of state travel, one is a healthcare worker or a resident of a congregate setting and eight did not have a clear source of infection at this time. 

There were no new hospitalizations to report overnight and the number of county residents currently hospitalized due to the virus remained at seven. The number of patients in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) decreased from three to one. The hospitalization rate is unchanged from yesterday at 0.21%. There were no new deaths reported and county’s death toll remains at 136 since the outbreak began.

“Public health experts have warned of a potential second wave this year, and while it’s still too soon to tell, the data we’re seeing in Albany County is concerning. We continue to see our five-day average of daily new positive cases hovering around 20, and UAlbany is no longer a serious contributing factor to our infections. In the last two weeks, we had 291 new positives. We are testing more now but if you compare that to the 297 new positives between April 1 and April 15, it gives us reason to urge everyone to follow the guidelines of wearing masks, washing hands frequently, social distancing and coughing/sneezing into your elbow,” said County Executive McCoy. 

“This comes as downstate continues to see spikes in positive cases and amid reports of a 25-year-old man from Nevada who was infected with the Coronavirus a second time with a more severe reaction. We can’t pretend to be able to predict this virus, and we definitely can’t let our guards down. I’m urging everyone to do their part as well as to avoid the large gatherings and get tested,” he continued. 

During the briefing, County Executive McCoy announced a new partnership with the University at Albany and the College of Saint Rose to provide rapid testing for students at sites on their campuses and in midtown Albany. Student have been contacted directly and all the appointments have already been filled. Testing will be provided today and Saturday. 
 
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 October 12
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 – 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.

Price Chopper/Market 32 is piloting a free COVID-19 test program at three of its New York drive-thru pharmacies. Customers can register for a test at www.DoINeedACovid19Test.com and they will get a voucher to go to one of the testing sites on a specific date. Local participating pharmacies are in Latham, Clifton Park and Johnstown. Testing is on Tuesdays from 7am- 9am. Customers won’t leave their car and will administer the test themselves with guidance from a pharmacist. Results will be provided by eTrueNorth within three to five business days. This is in partnership with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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.