Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County is now at 3,489 to date, an increase of 16 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 increased to 1,132 from 1,124. The five-day average for new daily positives dropped to 24.4 from 28. There are now 155 active cases in the county, up from 151 yesterday. So far, 15,712 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 3,334 of them had tested positive and recovered. Among the new positive cases, eight had close contact with positive cases, one reported traveling out of state, two are healthcare workers or residents of congregate settings, and five did not have a clear source of infection at this time. 

There were three new hospitalizations to report overnight, while the number of county residents currently hospitalized due to the virus rose from 14 to 17. There are now two patients in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit), up from one yesterday. The hospitalization rate has now increased to 0.48% from 0.4%. There were no new COVID-related deaths to report, and the county’s death toll remains at 140 since the outbreak began.

“We’ve seen reports on how the quarantine and economic shutdown have exacerbated addictions across the state and the country, and sadly, Albany County is no different. Our overdose deaths are up 44% compared to this time last year, and with 72 deaths, we’ve already eclipsed the total for 2019,” said County Executive McCoy. “There are a number of explanations, including social isolation, job loss and economic uncertainty, but fentanyl was also found in 88% of those who passed away this year. That’s why I’m reconvening our Opioid Taskforce and expediting the start of our new programs to ensure we connect people with the prevention, treatment and recovery services they need to prevent as many tragedies as possible.”

The Albany County Opioid Taskforce was first convened in 2017 in order to bring together community partners in public and behavioral health, as well as law enforcement, nonprofits and clergy to educate the public, reduce the stigma of addiction, improve access to treatment and prevent the flow of lethal drugs into the community. The Taskforce is Co-Chaired by County Department of Mental Health Director Dr. Stephen Giordano and County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen, who joined the County Executive for the briefing.

For those still struggling with addiction, there are a number of programs and services being offered by the County, as well as community partners. Through a partnership with Catholic Charities and Project Safe Point, the county provides a free Opioid Overdose Prevention training each week where participants learn to use the overdose-reversing medication Naloxone and learn how they can access it themselves. Additionally, the Capital Region Open Access Engagement Program is available 24/7 at 1-866-930-4999 so connect people with available drug and alcohol addiction support and recovery services throughout the community. More information can be found at the County Department of Mental Health 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.