Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County has now climbed to 11,204 to date, an increase of 213 new positive cases since yesterday. The five-day average for new daily positives increased to 218 from 197.4. Please note that our overall case count will fluctuate as CommCare records are transferred in and out of the county.

During the briefing, County Executive McCoy also reported that among the new positive cases, 15 had close contact with positive cases, 179 did not have a clear source of infection at this time, and 19 are healthcare workers or residents of congregate settings. There are now 1,547 active cases in the county, unchanged from yesterday. The number of people under mandatory quarantine decreased to 3,093 from 3,126. So far, 36,721 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 9,657 of them had tested positive and recovered. That is an increase of 206 recoveries since yesterday.

There were 15 new hospitalizations reported overnight, and there are 129 county residents currently hospitalized from the virus – a net increase of two. There are now 21 patients in the ICU, unchanged from yesterday. Unfortunately, there were also eight additional COVID-related deaths to report from overnight: Five women in their 90’s, two women in their 80’s and one man in his 70’s. Five of these deaths are associated with the Sisters of Saint Joseph in Latham that previously were not reported to the County Department of Health. The death toll for the county now stands at 218 since the outbreak began.

For the briefing, the County Executive was joined by Albany County Legislature Chairman Andrew Joyce and Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region Executive Director Linda MacFarlane to discuss their partnership in developing the $500,000 small business grant program. 

“When our small businesses suffer, our whole community suffers, and COVID isn’t letting up any time soon. Their struggles can be seen in our most recent sales tax reports: Albany County has lost more than $21 million this year compared to the same period in 2019. That is critical funding for the programs and services that lift up our residents. This $500,000 grant program being spearheaded by the County Legislature is another important tool in our arsenal to ensure more of our local establishments are able to survive until we have a widely distributed vaccine,” said Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy.

"When I convened the Albany County Legislature's COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force at the height of the pandemic, I wanted our members and staff to get creative, and lead the efforts here locally to help small businesses survive this crisis. And that's exactly what they did. This grant program is the most significant investment in grant funding and programs for these businesses in the Capital Region," said County Legislature Chairman Andrew Joyce.

“This new grant program will offer a lifeline for small business owners,” said Linda MacFarlane, Executive Director of the Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region. “We are so pleased to team up with Albany County to assist more businesses in need.”

The grant program will be overseen by the Advance Albany County Alliance, the newly created local development corporation that had been a top priority of County Executive McCoy. Grants of up to $5,000 will be available to qualifying businesses beginning Monday, January 4 and until close of business Tuesday, January 19. Eligible applicants will have to be located in Albany County, will have to generate sales tax, will have no more than 50 employees, and cannot be a chain. Businesses will also have to show that their revenue has dropped by at least 25% due to the economic shutdown and ongoing pandemic. Eligible expenses include up to two months of back rent, up to two weeks’ worth of perishable goods, retrofitting brick-and-mortar stores for COVID safety guidelines, and personal protective equipment. 

Below is the remainder of the schedule for Albany County’s COVID-19 mobile testing sites this week, 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 28 
*(Please note the date and time changes)
The full updated schedule, along with other testing site options, can be found at the Albany County website here.

Thursday, December 31: 9AM - 12PM
Times Union Center, 51 South Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207
(All vehicles must access the parking garage along Market Street. Enter at Level 3 through the Market Street entrance booths)

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 their website at the link here. Tests will be conducted from within an individual’s car with self-swab nasal tests and with the help of a pharmacist.
 
Walgreens is 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.

Central Med Urgent Care, 1662 Central Avenue, Colonie offers the rapid antigen test, lab-based PCR and antibody testing. No appointment is required but you can call 518-240-1456 if you would like to make an appointment. Testing is available for children.
 
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.