‘EXPECTED INCREASE’
Rensselaer County reaches 20 positive cases
RENSSELAER COUNTY, N.Y. » As of Saturday morning, there are now 20 confirmed positive coronavirus cases in the county.
Officials said the latest cases include a 60-year- old man from Troy, a 67-year- old man from
Troy, a 25-year- old man from Brunswick, a 50-year- old female from Schaghticoke, and a 97-year- old female from East Greenbush.
The two new cases initially announced Friday morning, include a 64-year- old man from East Greenbush and a 61-yearold man from Schodack.
The seven subsequently announced early Friday evening included two in North Greenbush — a 58-year- old female and a 29-year- old female; two in Poestenkill — a 63-year- old male and 60-year- old female; two in Troy — a 58-year- old female and 47-year- old female; and a 94-year- old male in East Greenbush.
On Tuesday afternoon, Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin announced the county’s first positive case, a 35-year-old man from Troy, who works at the Troy Prep School.
Officials announced Wednesday that the county had more confirmed cases. They said a 25-year- old woman from Troy, a student at Albany Medical Col
lege, along with a 70-yearold from East Greenbush and a 26- year- old and 30-year- old from Brunswick have all tested positive.
Rensselaer County Health Director Mary Fran Wachunas said the two individuals from Brunswick traveled to Miami on March 4 and returned March 10 and that they began feeling symptoms on March 9.
On Thursday, the health department confirmed a 72-year- old woman from Hoosick Falls tested positive.
Overview of COVID-19 Cases in Rensselaer County:
On Tuesday, Rensselaer County learned of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Since that date, the number of confirmed cases has expanded to 20. Cases include: Troy - 6 confirmed cases East Greenbush - 4 confirmed cases
North Greenbush - 4 confirmed cases
Brunswick - 3 confirmed case
Hoosick - 1 confirmed case
Schaghticoke firmed case
Schodack - 1 confirmed case
(Please note, two cases on Friday were incorrectly attributed to Poestenkill. The cases are actually in North Greenbush, near the Poestenkill border) - 1 con
Of the confirmed cases, 1 is currently in the hospital. The remaining 19 are in mandatory isolation. There are currently 211 in selfquarantine for monitoring.
Rensselaer County Public Health Director Mary Fran Wachunas also noted how tests are limited across the state now, but stressed that does not mean the virus is slowing down at all yet.
“We should see a little spike [in the cases] because there is so many cases that are pending,” Wachunas said on Saturday.
“We had expected an increase in cases, and that is now occurring. Other counties are seeing similar outcomes and trends which match what we are seeing in Rensselaer County,” Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin said. “We do [ have] evidence of the quarantine working, in the sense many are staying home and complying with the directive to remain in their residences.”
“Responding to the coronavirus outbreak has been the primary focus of county government. On Friday, we held a conference call with supervisors, mayors, and legislators. Residents should know there is great cooperation between all levels of government, and everyone in office is working to beat this crisis,” McLaughlin added.
Health Depar tment Contacts: For those needing to reach the Rensselaer County Health Department, please use the following numbers:
Monday through Friday, general number, 518-2702655 for all non- COVID-19 call
For COVID-19 information calls, the hotline is 518-270- 0450 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For COVID-19 results, call 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week, 518-270-2659
After hours, 5 p.m. to 9 a.m., the on- call public health number is 518-8574660.
“We have seen an increase in requests for homedelivered meals. Anyone over age 60 is invited to call 270-2730 or 270-2767. We are here to help,” McLaughlin said while noting that starting Monday the county’s Meals on Wheels program will occur on Monday,
Wednesday and Friday with two meals given each day.
McLaughlin also spoke about the need for a testing site in the county.
“As County Executive, I have asked for [the] establishment of a testing site in our county. Unfortunately, a lack of testing kits is slowing [the] establishment of a test site, but we remain optimistic,” he said.
An executive order issued by Gov. Andrew Cuomo temporarily closes operations of Department of Motor Vehicles offices across the state, including the DMV office in Troy operated by County Clerk Frank Merola. The shutdown is effective immediately.
DMV satellite offices op
erated by Merola in Hoosick Falls, Schodack and East Greenbush had already suspended operations.
Other functions offered by Merola, including property transactions, are open but require an appoint
ment. To make an appointment, please call 518-2704080.
McLaughlin has called on the state to provide amnesty for any expiring license or registration. The state has not acted on that request.
“We’re all going to get through this, we’re Americans, we get through anything,” McLaughlin said.