More cases linked to large gathering on Hudson Ave.
ALBANY, N.Y. » The county continues to report additional coronavirus cases stemming from a Fourth of July gathering on Hudson Avenue.
There have now been 22 positive cases in total that have been linked to the large backyard party on the Fourth of July on Hudson Avenue in Albany. Albany County Executive Dan McCoy continues to urge those who attended the party to call the Albany County Department of Health at (518) 447- 4640 to get expedited testing.
“As you continue to go out there and not pay attention to wearing a mask and not socially distancing, hanging out with your friends and enjoying life like it never changed; you’re exposing everyone else and you’re keeping [the virus] here,” McCoy said.
“We’re not telling you not to have fun, we’re not telling you not to go out, but just social distance and wear a mask,” he added.
McCoy announced that as of Saturday morning, there have now been 2,096 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County to date, an increase of 17 since yesterday.
Additionally, there are now 644 people under mandatory quarantine, up from 612. The five-day average for new daily positive cases has increased to 17.8 from 16.4 yesterday. There are currently 87 active cases, up from 84 yesterday.
So far, 6,368 individuals have completed quarantine, with 2,009 of them having tested positive and recovered.
Four of Saturday’s new positive cases were
healthcare workers, two were people who traveled and four others who had contact with a positive case. There are currently 3 individuals hospitalized which is up one since Friday and the hospitalization rate is now 0.14% up from 0.09% yesterday. There are still no individuals in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
The county’s death toll remains at 122 people who have passed away from COVID-19 since the outbreak began.
McCoy also took the time to reflect on the life of Congressman John Lewis, who passed away Saturday morning.
“Congressman John Lewis was the perfect example of how one person’s righteous cause can change the course of history for the better,” McCoy said. “He fought for voting rights and other civil rights for African Americans when this country was gripped by racial upheaval.
“However, Congressman Lewis was a part of something so much larger than one man, and our nation is once again calling for change. It is now our responsibility to carry on his legacy.
“In his memory of the fight for equal rights, we must now continue to fight for full equality and equity of all people, no matter the color of their skin or where they were raised.”
The county executive continues to offer two gallons of hand sanitizer to businesses, nonprofits, churches and others who have filed their health and safety plan affirmation statements, and invites local Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), Chambers of Commerce and others to help distribute to their members.
Anyone interested who has not already received any hand sanitizer can go to the back of the Times Union Center by taking Market Street, follow the ramp to the right and call (518) 4872023 when you arrive. This will run each week, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.