WAKE-UP CALL
Albany County confirms 14 new cases; highest spike in a month
ALBANY, N.Y. » In an alarming admission, Albany County Executive Dan McCoy revealed Thursday morning that they’ve seen a jump with 14 additional positive Novel Coronavirus (CO
VID-19) cases.
The increase represents the highest one day total since June 4 in the county.
“Even though today may be a blip, 14 cases is a big concern. This is not the direction that we want to be going in. This is a direction that can take us backwards and this is a big concern,”
Albany County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen remarked on the startling revelation.
“As we start to look at these cases, as we start to do our contact case investigation and contact tracing, we’re going to be looking and making sure we continue with these educational messages to the public.”
“It is essential that the public realize that there is an individual mandate on everyone in this country and everyone in this state and everyone across the country, if we don’t do what we’re supposed to do, things will slide backwards. Coronavirus
virus has not gone away,” Whalen emphasized on the need for people to remain vigilant and responsible by wearing masks and practicing social distancing.
Whalen also discouraged people thinking about making non- essential travel to states exploding with cases, such as Florida, Arizona, Texas and California.
The County Executive echoed Whalen’s sentiments on the alarming latest discovery of positive cases.
“Despite what we’re seeing across the country, with exponential growth of infection numbers in some states, it baffles me that some people still refuse to wear masks in public and disregard state health guidelines. And while it’s easy to dismiss what’s happening in other states, today we saw the highest jump in new cases here since June 4, and this needs to be a wake-up call,” McCoy stated.
In addition to the 14 new positive cases, McCoy also noted overall there have been 1,915 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County to date. Additionally, there are 224 people under mandatory quarantine. The five-day average for new daily positive cases is now 5.4. Presently there are 39 active cases of COVID-19.
Thus far, 5,768 people have completed quarantine, with 1,876 of them having tested positive and recovered.
Presently, five people are hospitalized with one person in the ICU. The hospitalization rate remains at 0.26%
Thursday afternoon, the Albany County Department of Health announced the temporary closure of Philly Bar and Lounge at 622 Watervliet Shaker Road in Latham after three employees tested positive for the virus. Two of the employees are from Albany County and one lives in Rensselaer County.
The New York State Department of Health will hold onsite testing for the employees Friday and the restaurant will remain closed until all of the test results come back. Philly has been fully compliant.
ACDOH recommends that any customer who has symptoms or concerns related to COVID-19 should be tested by calling for an appointment at their mobile testing sites, calling the state number for testing at UAlbany at (888) 3643065, by calling Priority 1 Urgent Care in Guilderland at (518) 867-8040 or going online and scheduling an appointment at Rite Aid in Colonie (www.riteaid.com).
Conversely, McCoy highlighted local community organizations making a positive impact during the pandemic.
“We know that there are countless people who have helped us flatten the curve by staying home as much as possible and social distancing, and this can be equally difficult for parents and children alike,” McCoy said.
“That’s why I’m happy to announce our Summer Fun in Cohoes outdoor activities, as well as our Youth Internship Program made possible with our partners at the Boys & Girls Club and the Capital District YMCA. These initiatives will ensure kids have safe and healthy ways to enjoy the summer months and get some work experience,” McCoy added.
Summer Fun in Cohoes is a three week program for kids ages seven to 13 to play outdoor, socially distanced games beginning this Monday at Lansing Park. It will include Baggo, KanJam, badminton, homerun derby, kickball, karate lessons, crafts, some educational opportunities and more.
The program will be open to Cohoes residents for the first week, and then Cohoes, Green Island and Watervliet residents in the second and third weeks. Between Monday and Friday, the park will be open for the program from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The initiative was made possible through a partnership between the County Executive, Cohoes Mayor Bill Keeler and Albany County Legislators Gil Ethier and Bill Ricard. People can register at the Department of Recreation website.
Additionally, McCoy took time to thank Scotts Miracle- Gro, which has been producing large quantities of face shields to donate to various government agencies around the country.
McCoy notes that the face shields will be extremely helpful to the frontline workers of Albany County.