Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County has now climbed to 4,669 to date, an increase of 96 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 1,881 from 1,825. The five-day average for new daily positives increased to 87 from 82. There are now 720 active cases in the county, up from 661 yesterday. So far, 19,682 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 3,949 of them had tested positive and recovered. Among the new positive cases, 37 had close contact with positive cases, four reported out of state travel, 46 did not have a clear source of infection at this time, and 10 are healthcare workers or residents of congregate settings – though none from Shaker Place Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. 

There were 10 new hospitalizations to report overnight, while the number of county residents currently hospitalized due to the virus rose from 40 to 44. There are now 11 patients in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit), up from 10 yesterday. The hospitalization rate has gone up to 0.94% from 0.87%. Sadly, two more county residents have passed away from the virus – one woman in her 70’s and another woman in her 80’s. They bring the county’s death toll to 149 since the outbreak began. 

“When we talk about the seriousness of the second wave of COVID-19, it’s not just the number of new cases and percent positive rates. What keeps me up at night is the rising numbers of residents being hospitalized and losing their lives to the virus. We now have 44 people in the hospital from our county alone, the most we’ve ever had since the outbreak started more than eight months ago,” said County Executive McCoy. “We also have the highest number of patients in the ICU since April 15. We need to do more to ensure our regional hospitals don’t become overwhelmed.”

During the briefing, County Executive McCoy also reminded residents that the county’s Adopt-A-Family program continues this Saturday at Crossgates Mall. The County Department for Children, Youth and Families will be collecting new, unwrapped everyday household items. Clothing and toys to be donated to local families at their drive-thru between 10am and 2pm at the overflow lot near the Tru by Hilton Hotel, across from 110 Grill. The easiest access point is the Western Avenue (Route 20) entrance.

Below is the remainder of this week’s schedule for Albany County’s 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 November 16 to November 20
(Please note that Albany has a location change; drive-thru is encouraged at both the Albany and Watervliet locations, but walk-ups are still welcome)
The full updated schedule, along with other testing site options, can be found at the Albany County website here.

Whitney Young Health Dental building (rear of building) – (new location) 900 Lark Drive, Albany (now has drive-thru option)
• Friday: 1pm – 4pm 

Watervliet Administrative Building, 1804 Second Ave, Watervliet (mobile Site now has drive-thru option)
• Wednesday: 1:30 pm – 4pm 

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.