Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County has now climbed to 11,448 to date, an increase of 256 new positive cases since yesterday. The five-day average for new daily positives increased to 220.2 from 218. Please note that our overall case count will fluctuate as CommCare records are transferred in and out of the county.

Among the new positive cases announced, 35 had close contact with positive cases, 205 did not have a clear source of infection at this time, one reported traveling out of state and 15 are healthcare workers or residents of congregate settings. There are now 1,647 active cases in the county, up from 1,547 yesterday. The number of people under mandatory quarantine decreased to 2,956 from 3,093. So far, 37,383 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 9,801 of them had tested positive and recovered. That is an increase of 144 recoveries since yesterday.

During the briefing, County Executive McCoy also reported that there were 11 new hospitalizations overnight. There are 120 county residents currently hospitalized from the virus – a net decrease of nine. There are now 20 patients in the ICU, down from 21 yesterday. Sadly, there were five additional COVID-related deaths to report from overnight: Two women in their 90’s, one man in his 90’s, one man in his 80’s, and one woman in her 70’s. The death toll for the county now stands at 223 since the outbreak began. For the briefing, the County Executive was joined by County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen.

“With these five additional deaths reported today, we’ve now lost 63 residents this month to COVID-19. Compare that to the 55 deaths we saw in May, which was previously the most devastating month since the outbreak started. And while our hospitalizations are slowing down, 42% of all hospitalizations these past nine months have happened in December,” said County Executive McCoy. “Knowing that January will likely be even worse than December, I’m urging all of our residents to please avoid private gatherings with anyone not in your immediate family or household for New Year’s celebrations. This will allow us to prevent more tragedies and go into 2021 with some positive momentum.”

During the briefing, County Executive McCoy also reminded the public that small business grant applications will be available and can be submitted beginning Monday, January 4. Grants of up to $5,000 will be made available to select eligible local businesses through a new program announced yesterday and spearheaded by the Albany County Legislature. 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. The applications will be available starting on Monday at the Community Loan Fund of Capital Region website here and the Albany County website here. Interested applicants can also call the Community Loan Fund at (518) 436-8586 for additional information. 

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.