Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County has now climbed to 4,188 to date, an increase of 77 new positive cases since yesterday. County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen joined him for the briefing. 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 1,520 from 1,492. The five-day average for new daily positives rose to 67.6 from 66. There are now 483 active cases in the county, up from 416 yesterday. So far, 18,315 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 3,705 of them had tested positive and recovered. Among the new positive cases, 42 had close contact with positive cases, two reported traveling out of state, 32 did not have a clear source of infection at this time, and one is a healthcare worker or a resident of a congregate setting – though not from Shaker Place Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

There were nine new hospitalizations to report overnight, while the number of county residents currently hospitalized due to the virus increased to 37 from 35. There are now six patients in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit), up from five yesterday. The hospitalization rate has gone up to 0.88% from 0.85%. Sadly, a county resident passed away overnight due to complications from COVID-19 – a woman in her 70’s who was a resident of a congregate setting. She brings the county’s death toll to 145 since the outbreak began.

“We continue to see the signs of a dangerous situation as we respond to this surge of infections and hospitalizations. The United States continues to set records for new daily cases and hospitalizations, while New York and Albany County are likely not far behind,” said County Executive McCoy. “We now have the highest number of county residents currently hospitalized since April 29, yesterday we set a record for the highest number of new positives in a single day, and people continue to tragically lose their lives. This data needs to be taken as a serious warning sign, especially ahead of Thanksgiving.”

The Albany County Department of Health is also advising anyone who went to the Olive Garden on Wolf Road in Colonie on Sunday, November 8th between and 3 and 9pm to call them because of possible COVID exposure. You may call the Albany County Department of Health at (518) 447-4659.

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 remainder of this week
Albany has a location change and Watervliet is now drive-through
The full updated schedule can be found at the Albany County website here.

Whitney Young Health Dental building (rear of building) – (new location) 900 Lark Drive, Albany
• Friday – 1:00pm – 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 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 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 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.