Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County has now climbed to 5,881 to date, an increase of 159 new positive cases since yesterday. The five-day average for new daily positives increased to 112.2 from 100.4. Please note that our overall case count will fluctuate as CommCare records are transferred in and out of County.

Among the new positive cases, 22 had close contact with positive cases, 127 did not have a clear source of infection at this time and 11 are healthcare workers or residents of congregate settings – though none from Shaker Place Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. 
There are now 910 active cases in the county, up from 884 yesterday. The number of people under mandatory quarantine jumped to 2,370 from 2,272. So far, 23,598 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 4,971 of them had tested positive and recovered. 

There were six new hospitalizations to report overnight, and there are 76 county residents currently hospitalized from the virus – a net increase of four. The hospitalization rate is now 1.29%. There are now 12 patients in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit), up from 11 yesterday. Sadly, there were two new COVID-related deaths to report since yesterday – two women, both in their 90’s and residents of congregate settings, but neither were from Shaker Place. The death toll for the county now stands at 160 since the outbreak began.

“At the same time that we’ve set a record for new daily positives in a single day, we have also set the record for the number of people hospitalized for the fifth time in less than two weeks and two more people have lost their lives. This is no coincidence. These are all inseparably linked, as we already learned during the first wave of the pandemic in the spring,” said County Executive McCoy. 

“The Capital Region is one of the last regions in the state to be targeted by the State’s Micro-Cluster strategy. Given the Governor’s recent change to the metrics that will now consider hospital bed capacity, hospitalization and death rates and more, it’s difficult to say when Albany County may be placed in one of the zones to control the spread of the virus,” he continued.
 
Below is next 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 30 (Please note new location starting Friday, December 4. Drive-thru is encouraged at the Whitney Young 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.
  
Watervliet Administrative Building, 1804 Second Ave, Watervliet (Mobile Site now has drive-thru option)
• Wednesday, December 2: 1pm – 4pm
 
Times Union Center, (new location) 51 South Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207 (no drive thru option available)
• Friday, December 4: 1pm – 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 only be provided after appointments are made and after patients come in to be screened for expanded CDC symptoms. 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, 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.