Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County is now at 3,474 to date, an increase of 24 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 decreased to 1,124 from 1,163. The five-day average for new daily positives increased to 28 from 26. There are now 151 active cases in the county, up from 139 yesterday. So far, 15,561 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 3,323 of them had tested positive and recovered. Among the new positive cases, 15 had close contact with positive cases, one reported traveling out of state, two are healthcare workers or residents of congregate settings, and six 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 14. There is now one patient in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit), down from two yesterday. The hospitalization rate is still at 0.4%. There were no new COVID-related deaths to report, and the county’s death toll is still at 140 since the outbreak began.

“The pandemic and economic shutdown have devastated families and businesses across Albany County, and sadly, more and more parents are struggling to put food on the table, let alone buy presents for the holiday. Making matters worse, fewer residents feel comfortable going out to restaurants and dropping off toys. That’s why I was happy to offer the Albany County Hockey Facility parking lot as a safe and easy location for people to drive through and drop off new, unwrapped toys to make a difference in a child’s life,” said County Executive McCoy. “Last year, thanks to the Marine Corps Reserve, Dunkin’ and so many generous donors, 197,000 children were served by the Capital Region Toys for Tots Campaign. While it will be a challenge, I want to see us break 200,000 this year, and I encourage anyone who can to donate to support this cause.”

For the briefing, the County Executive was joined by Marine Corps Reserve Staff Sergeant Patrick Lurenz, the Capital Region Toys for Tots Assistant Coordinator, and Eric Stensland, Dunkin’ Field Marketing Manager. The campaign was first created by the Marine Corps Reserve 12 years ago. Including the $30,000 contribution this year, Dunkin’ has invested $350,000 since then to keep the campaign going. Anyone who would like to donate can visit the Albany County Hockey Facility at 830 Albany Shaker Road in Colonie on Saturday November 7 or Saturday, November 14 between 11am and 4pm to drive through the parking lot and drop off new, unwrapped toys. Those who donate will receive a $5 Dunkin’ gift card and a 10-pack of holiday munchkins.

County Executive McCoy also highlighted the first of early voting turnout in Albany County from over weekend. As of this morning, 7,448 county residents went out to the polls. For those who haven’t voted yet, early voting will continue today and Wednesday between noon and 8pm; as well as Tuesday, Thursday and Friday this week between 9am and 5pm. You can also still request an absentee ballot up online, by fax or email until tomorrow. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, and polling sites are open that day between 6am and 9pm. More information can be found at the Albany County website here.

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 26
The full updated schedule along with other testing sites in the county can be found at the Albany County website here.

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

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 Albany 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.