Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County has now climbed to 20,048 to date, an increase of 58 new positive cases since yesterday. The five-day average for new daily positives has increased slightly to 71 from 70.6. 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 cases of COVID-19, 14 had close contact with positive cases, 40 did not have clear sources of infection at this time, and four are healthcare workers or residents of congregate settings. There are now 569 active cases in the county, down from 592 yesterday. The number of people under mandatory quarantine decreased dramatically to 1,519 from 1,644. So far, 62,496 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 19,479 of them had tested positive and recovered. That is an increase of 58 recoveries since yesterday.

There were eight new hospitalizations overnight, and there are now 62 county residents currently hospitalized from the virus – a net increase of five. There are currently eight patients in ICU’s, up from seven yesterday. There were no additional COVID-related deaths to report, and the death toll for Albany County still stands at 345 since the outbreak began. For the briefing, County Executive McCoy was joined by County Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen to discuss vaccinations and other updates.

“I’m encouraged that Albany County has received another 2,900 doses of the vaccine, allowing us to reschedule second-doses that were originally scheduled for Thursday last week to this Wednesday. We will also be offering our regularly planned clinic of first and second doses for 1b essential workers and those with co-morbidities this Thursday. I’m hopeful we can get the delayed doses sometime later this week and keep this momentum going,” said County Executive McCoy. 

“Those who are looking to get a shot at the Washington Avenue Armory should utilize our pre-registration tool to get their name on the list if they are eligible. As we continue to get our residents vaccinated and with our 7-day average for percent positive rates dropping down to 1.6%, I’m happy to see more businesses getting the green light from the state to reopen soon, as well as allowing for visitation to resume at nursing homes,” he continued.

The second-dose clinic that was postponed last week will be this Wednesday at the Times Union Center. Those who already had an appointment for their second-doses last Thursday are rescheduled for this Wednesday, February 24, 2021 from 4:00pm – 7:00pm.  Location remains at the Times Union Center and your appointment will be for the same time that it was originally scheduled for on February 18, 2021. There will also be two clinics at the Times Union Center on Thursday – one for first doses and another for second doses. The link to sign up for the Thursday vaccine POD’s and additional information will be released tomorrow at 5pm. 

During the briefing, Commissioner Whalen discussed the updated quarantine guidance for Albany County schools that went into effect today. Previously, entire classrooms would be quarantined if there a single positive case were to be identified out of an abundance of caution. However, local schools have been effective at preventing the spread among the student population and many teachers have been vaccinated. Now, schools will be able to identify possible contacts within close proximity to any positive cases, leading to far less students needing to be placed under quarantine. 

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. For those who would like additional information on vaccinations, or to pre-register for a vaccine appointment, please use the link here.

Below is 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 February 22 
The full updated schedule, along with other testing site options, can be found at the Albany County website here.

Thursday, February 25: 9AM – 11AM
Whitney Young Administrative Building, 1601 Broadway Watervliet, NY 12189
(Drive-up testing site. Large brick building across the parking lot from the Watervliet Whitney Young Health Center, across the street from McDonald's)

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.