Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County has now climbed to 15,284 to date, an increase of 292 new positive cases since yesterday. The five-day average for new daily positives has increased to 269.8 from 267.2. Please note that our overall case count will fluctuate as CommCare records are transferred in and out of the county.

The County Executive reported that among the new positive cases, 43 had close contact with positive cases, 236 did not have a clear source of infection at this time and 13 are healthcare workers or residents of congregate settings. There are now 2,035 active cases in the county, up from 1,981 yesterday. The number of people under mandatory quarantine decreased to 3,214 from 3,438. So far, 45,442 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 13,249 of them had tested positive and recovered. That is an increase of 209 recoveries since yesterday.

There were 29 new hospitalizations overnight, and there are 168 county residents currently hospitalized from the virus – a net increase of 10. There are now eight patients in ICU’s, up from seven yesterday. Sadly, there were three additional COVID-related deaths to report since yesterday: Three women; one in her 50’s, one in her 80’s and one in her 90’s. The death toll for the county now stands at 265 since the outbreak began. County Executive McCoy was joined by County Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen for the briefing.

“Despite getting more Point of Dispensing sites up and running – including at our Times Union Center and the University at Albany – and getting more shots in arms, Albany County’s supply of the vaccine from the federal government just isn’t meeting the demand. At the same time, we may be seeing a surge in hospitalizations that we’ve been expecting because of holiday celebrations in December, hitting a new record today,” said County Executive McCoy. 

“While we have hospital overflow plans in place, we don’t want to allow our hospital system to get to that point and we need to do more to prevent the spread of COVID because our percent positive rate is still nearly 9%. We need everyone to wear a mask, socially distance, get tested whether you have symptoms or not, and stay home as much as possible,” he continued.

During the briefing, the County Executive shared photos from yesterday’s Point of Dispensing event hosted by Albany County at the Times Union Center, and thanked those for attending, including Albany County Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Bill Clay (see attached).

The County Executive also reminds small business owners who are suffering financially due to the pandemic that grants of up to $5,000 are available through the Albany County COVID-19 Small Business Grant Program. It is being administered in a partnership with The Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region Applications are being accepted until 5 pm on January 19 by going to the following link: https://mycommunityloanfund.org/albany-county-covid-19-small-business-grant-program/

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.
 
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.