Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County has now climbed to 3,950 to date, an increase of 39 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 shot up to 1,389 from 1,298. The five-day average for new daily positives increased to 50 from 48.4. There are now 337 active cases in the county, up from 305 yesterday. So far, 17,764 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 3,613 of them had tested positive and recovered. Among the new positive cases, 18 had close contact with positive cases, two reported traveling out of state, 16 did not have a clear source of infection at this time, and three are healthcare workers or residents of congregate settings – though none from Shaker Place Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

There were four new hospitalizations to report overnight, while the number of county residents currently hospitalized due to the virus increased to 32 from 31. There are still four patients in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit). The hospitalization rate has gone up to 0.81% from 0.79%. There were no new COVID-related deaths to report, and the county’s death toll remains at 144 since the outbreak began.

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The County Executive was joined at the press conference by Albany County Legislature Chairman Andrew Joyce, Deputy Chairwoman Wanda Willingham and Albany County Economic Development Director Kevin O’Connor to announce moving forward with the formation of a Local Development Corporation (LDC).

“I want to thank Chairman Joyce, Deputy Chairwoman Willingham, Majority Leader Feeney, LBC Chairman Clay and Minority Leader Mauriello for their partnership in the creation of the Advance Albany County Alliance LDC, as recommended by the Economic Strategy Plan I commissioned. I’m looking forward to the resolution’s passage at tonight’s meeting. This, along with a dedicated funding stream that has been agreed to, will allow us to take a crucial step towards rebuilding the county’s economy amid COVID-19,” said County Executive McCoy. “Soon, not only will we be able to provide grants to support local businesses and help them with state and federal funding, we will also coordinate economic development entities to fill existing gaps and ensure we’re making the county a more attractive place to start a business and to relocate.”

“The COVID pandemic has stopped our local economy in its tracks so it is critical to provide the tools and make the investments needed for recovery and growth. The formation of the Advance Albany County Alliance will do just that and we are happy to partner with the County Executive to get it off the ground. Additionally, our commitment to small businesses means that we intend on funding the new LDC with resources for those who need it most,” said Andrew Joyce, Chairman of the Albany County Legislature.

"The creation of the Advance Albany County Alliance will promote economic development through effective government investment with the aim of improving the quality of life for the residents Albany County. It is my hope that this corporation will move forward with a process that will provide an equity agenda that makes room for every community in business proposals. Business development that will reduce unemployment through job opportunities for individuals who have not been considered in the planning process and establishing apprenticeship programs which increase job opportunities through training that will improve the capabilities of individuals to maintain jobs," said Wanda Willingham, Deputy Chairwoman of the Albany County Legislature and Chair of the Audit & Finance Committee. 

"Through the joint leadership and efforts of the County Executive, Chairman of the Legislature, and our Democratic Majority, I am proud to have a part in making the Advance Albany County Alliance Local Development Corporation a reality. Not only will this new corporation provide a much-needed lifeline for small and local businesses impacted by COVID-19, but it will also be a central hub for economic development and further establish Albany County as a business-friendly destination in the Capital Region. The Albany County Legislature believes local businesses are a pillar of our communities, and we are proud to show our commitment by pledging $500,000 to the Advance Albany County Alliance to provide the infrastructure it needs to hit the ground running and serve businesses big and small throughout Albany County," said Dennis Feeney, Majority Leader of the Albany County Legislature.

"I support the creation of the Advance Albany County Alliance. The process which has led to the creation of this proposal involved the leaders of the Albany County Legislature and County Executive Daniel McCoy bringing together individuals from the public and private sectors to make recommendation on implementing an economic development plan and properly organizing the County's resources to meet the challenges of COVID-19. I had the opportunity to serve on the Economic Development Ad Hoc Committee, which recommended the LDC and recognized the worsening effects of income and economic opportunity inequality on minority communities due to the disproportionate effect of the pandemic. In the face of this historic challenge, I welcome the opportunity to help focus and coordinate our efforts in Albany County to benefit all of the people of our community," William Clay, Chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus.

Locations & Dates for the remainder of this week
Albany has a location change and Watervliet is now drive-through
The full updated schedule can be found here

Whitney Young Health Dental building (rear of building) – (new location) 900 Lark Drive, Albany

• Friday: 1:00–4:00pm 

Watervliet Health Center, 1804 Second Ave, Watervliet (Mobile Site now Drive-through)

• Wednesday: 1:00–4:00pm 

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 NYS 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 the website here 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 NYS 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.