SIGNIFICANT INCREASE
Albany County confirms 44 new cases; highest spike since May 20
ALBANY, N.Y. » Albany County saw a spike of 44 new confirmed positive COVID-19 cases Wednesday.
During a press conference with Albany County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen, Albany County Executive Dan McCoy noted the increase marked the county’s highest one- day jump since May 20, which saw 71 positive cases.
Hearkening back to some of the higher spikes in previous months, McCoy attributed the trend to holiday gatherings. Wednesday’s announcement was no different, as McCoy cited a large party of 200 people on the Fourth of July in Albany.
Whalen added that the 200 number stemmed from a number of backyards along Hudson Avenue.
“There’s a cluster on the Fourth of July party in Albany where we had up to 200 people that were there, not socially distancing, not wearing masks, not doing the right thing,” McCoy said.
“So we have six known positive cases from that party so far,” McCoy added as the county health department continues its contact tracing efforts.
Also among the 44 cases are healthcare workers and eight residents at St. Peter’s Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. In addition, four cases were people who flew into Albany County in the last two weeks from Georgia, Florida, Michigan, and Cancun. Two more positive cases were traced back to people who drove from South Carolina and Florida.
The other cases appear to stem from community spread.
“So people decided to go traveling and not do the right things have come back positive. That’s again that ripple effect of tracing and it’s like that domino. How many people have they met and how many people are they going to knock down as we go along?” McCoy remarked on the travelers.
Whalen also remarked on the latest rise in positive cases.
“I do think it is likely a reflection of the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The party that was referenced that we have six cases currently tied to was not at a single home from what we’re hearing but in a large area of backyards on Hudson Avenue in Albany,” Whalen said.
“So if you were at that party on Hudson Avenue in the backyards, please consider being tested, please get tested. We need to stop this, we need to make sure that those that are infected don’t continue to spread this disease to others,” Whalen advised of the party-goers
Whalen also expressed concern for what the latest cases may foretell of the hospitalization rate in the weeks ahead.
“I would like to express some caution with the good news that the rates of hospitalizations and deaths are low. What we saw previously with COVID is that first, we saw the spike in cases and then about a week to two weeks later we saw a spike in hospitalizations and started to see deaths. This is not what we want to have happen. I say that because I don’t want to give the message that these infections are not potentially harmful to people.
In addition to the 44 new cases, there have been 2,053 cases in the county overall. Plus, there are 544 people under mandatory quarantine and 77 active cases. The five- day average for new daily positive cases has nearly doubled to 16 from 8.8 Tuesday. Thus far, 6,176 people have completed quarantine, with 1,976 of them having tested positive and recovered.
Presently there are two people hospitalized and the hospitalization rate remains at 0.09%.