Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County has now climbed to 17,843 to date, an increase of 216 new positive cases since yesterday. The five-day average for new daily positives has decreased to 180.4 from 187. Please note that our overall case count will fluctuate as CommCare records are transferred in and out of the county.

Among the new cases of COVID-19, 41 had close contact with positive cases, 144 did not have a clear source of infection at this time, and 31 are healthcare workers or residents of congregate settings. There are now 1,390 active cases in the county, down from 1,587 yesterday. The number of people under mandatory quarantine decreased to 2,611 from 2,742. So far, 53,044 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 16,453 of them had tested positive and recovered. That is an increase of 403 recoveries since yesterday.

The County Executive reported that there were three new hospitalizations overnight, and there are 163 county residents currently hospitalized from the virus – a net change of zero. There are 11 patients now in ICU’s, down from 16 yesterday. Unfortunately, there was one additional COVID-related death to report since yesterday – a woman in her 70’s. The death toll for the county now stands at 303 since the outbreak began. 

“There is no doubt that school sports are critical to the mental, physical and emotional well-being of our students, especially during a pandemic that has forced people indoors and into isolation. However, we need to follow the science on decisions to allow high-risk sports to resume, and a CDC study has already found that contact sports can lead to dangerous spread of COVID. That’s why we’ve left that decision to the public health experts in counties throughout the Capital Region and their consensus,” said County Executive McCoy. 

“The fact of the matter is, we’ve had by far the most COVID-related deaths this month than any other since the pandemic started. But the data is showing signs of our percent positive rates improving and hospital numbers stabilizing after the holiday surge. It is my hope that we continue to get the spread of the virus under control and high-risk sports can go forward in the very near future once our percent positive rate falls to meet the new guidance,” he continued.

Residents who want to check their eligibility for the vaccine and sign up for a shot at a state-run facility should use the state's website at the link here or call the state vaccine hotline at 1-833-697-4829. For general information on the vaccine and eligibility, residents can also dial the United Way of the Greater Capital Region’s 2-1-1.

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 January 25 
The full updated schedule, along with other testing site options, can be found at the Albany County website here.

Friday, January 29: 9AM - 1PM
Times Union Center, 51 South Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207
(All vehicles must access the TU Center 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, and the free and confidential online text chat feature can be found at the link here.