Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County has now climbed to 21,336 to date, an increase of 57 new positive cases since yesterday. The five-day average for new daily positives has decreased to 52.4 from 53.2. 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 cases of Coronavirus, 22 had close contact with positive cases, 31 did not have clear sources of infection at this time, and four are healthcare workers or residents of congregate settings. There are now 498 active cases in the county, down from 508 yesterday. The number of people under mandatory quarantine decreased to 1,191 from 1,283. So far, 67,430 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 20,838 of them had tested positive and recovered. That is an increase of 65 recoveries since yesterday.

There were four new hospitalizations overnight, and there are now 29 county residents hospitalized from the virus – a net increase of five. There are still four patients in ICU’s, unchanged from yesterday. There are no new COVID-related deaths to report, and the death toll for Albany County still stands at 365 since the outbreak began. For the briefing, County Executive McCoy was joined by The Food Pantries for the Capital District Executive Director Natasha Pernicka to discuss the ongoing issue of food insecurity in the aftermath of the pandemic and economic shutdown.

“I’m proud of the progress we continue to make on the vaccination front. So far, Albany County has been able to administer, distribute and reallocate nearly 16,600 first doses and more than 4,200 second doses. This has contributed to the county’s nearly 28% first dose vaccination rate. We’ll be able to grow that number with the 500 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine heading our way that will help us vaccinate homebound seniors,” said County Executive McCoy.

“The worst of the pandemic is over and the economy is slowly but surely being reopened, but the Food Pantries have been and will continue to be an important partner for tackling food insecurity. This organization helped tens of thousands of county residents over the last year, and our lower income residents unfortunately will likely feel the effects of the weakened economy for years into the future. That’s why we need to get nonprofit workers and volunteers vaccinated, and I encourage anyone who’s able to donate or volunteer themselves,” he continued.

The Food Pantries of the Capital District have over 30 locations in Albany County and more than 60 throughout the Capital Region, dedicated to helping provide an estimated 2.7 million meals to those in need each year. Executive Director Pernicka noted that since July the organization has been able to deliver over 3,000 meals to those who have been unable to leave their homes during the pandemic through a partnership with Albany County. The Food Pantries have helped serve over 24,000 Albany County residents throughout 2020. 

The County Executive also announced he is delivering his State of the County Address virtually today at 6pm. It will be available through Facebook https://www.facebook.com/McCoyAlbanyCountyExec/ and Youtube   https://youtu.be/8UlTaYRUgF4

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 those who would like additional information on vaccinations and vaccination clinics at the Times Union Center, or to pre-register for a vaccine appointment through Albany County’s pre-registration tool, please use the link here. For general information on the vaccine and eligibility, residents can also dial the United Way of the Greater Capital Region’s 2-1-1 hotline.

Walmart pharmacy locations in Albany on Washington Avenue Extension and in Glenmont on Route 9W are now offering vaccination appointments. Other locations are in Troy, Schenectady and Amsterdam. Eligible populations include the 60+ population, educators, and staff of licensed childcare providers. To make an appointment, call the Washington Ave. Ext. location at (518) 869-4697 or the Glenmont location at (518) 432-1747. You can also use the online registration at the link here.

Community-wide free 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 to 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.