Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County has now climbed to 6,501 to date, an increase of 177 new positive cases since yesterday. The five-day average for new daily positives increased to 165 from 150.6. Please note that our overall case count will fluctuate as CommCare records are transferred in and out of County. 

During the briefing, the County Executive reported that among the new positive cases, 19 had close contact with positive cases, 141 did not have a clear source of infection at this time, three reported traveling out of state and 14 are healthcare workers or residents of congregate settings – though none from Shaker Place Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. There are now 1,106 active cases in the county, a huge increase from 992 yesterday. The number of people under mandatory quarantine decreased to 2,191 from 2,218. So far, 25,412 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 5,395 of them had tested positive and recovered. 

There were 16 new hospitalizations reported overnight, and there are 89 county residents currently hospitalized from the virus – a net decrease of seven. The hospitalization rate is now 1.36%. There are currently 14 patients in the ICU, down from 16 yesterday. There were no new deaths to report and the death toll for the county stands at 167 since the outbreak began. County Executive McCoy was joined by Schenectady County Manager Rory Fluman and Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin for the briefing to discuss the regional response to the second wave of the pandemic. 

“The only way we’re going to dig ourselves out of this hole is by working together – across county lines and party lines – because the Coronavirus doesn’t care about county boarders or rivers that divide us,” said County Executive McCoy. “That’s why I’ve been proud to work with County Manager Fluman and County Executive McLaughlin over the last nearly nine months. Whether it’s getting testing sites up and running or distributing PPE across the Capital Region, this partnership is what has allowed us to keep our numbers relatively low compared to other regions in the state.” 

“As the state designates yellow, orange, and red cluster zones in our communities, practicing social distancing and mask use are the primary weapons we have to fight COVID-19,” said Schenectady County Manager Rory Fluman. “If person by person, and county by county, we fight together against COVID-19, we can beat this terrible virus that has done too much damage and taken too many lives.” 

“By controlling the spread of the virus, we can keep people safe, prevent our regional hospital system from getting overwhelmed, and keep businesses open. Considering micro-cluster zones will be decided not only by infection rate, but hospital capacity as well, it’s critical that the Capital Region counties work in unison to respond to this public health emergency, and I’ve been happy to work with County Executive McCoy and County Manager Fluman over the last nearly nine months,” said Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin.

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 December 7 (Please note new locations for Monday December 7 and Wednesday, December 9)

The full updated schedule, along with other testing site options, can be found at the Albany County website here.

• Times Union Center, 51 South Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207 
  Important – Due to construction at the Times Union Center parking garage, all vehicles must access the garage along Market St. on Level 3. Vehicles may exit on Level 4 or at the newly designated “EXIT ONLY” on Beaver St.
  Monday, December 7: 1pm – 4pm
• Watervliet Dome - Parks & Recreation (new location), 1300 2nd Ave. (Corner of 13th St. & 2nd Ave.), Watervliet, NY 12189
  Wednesday, December 9: 1pm – 4pm
• Times Union Center, 51 South Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207
  Friday, December 11: 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 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 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.

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, 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.