County to provide COVID-19 testing for college students

TROY, N.Y. » Rensselaer County will be providing two days later this month to allow college students who are county residents to be tested for COVID-19, Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin and members of the County Legislature announced Thursday.

College students who are county residents and returning to school this fall can be tested on Friday, Aug. 14, and Friday, Aug. 21 at the county-run site in the parking lot of the Van Rensselaer Manor. Hours are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days. Only college students will be seen on those days.

“We understand a number of colleges and universities are requiring students to be tested for COVID-19 before returning this fall. We want to provide an opportunity for students who are residents of the county to be tested before returning this fall,” McLaughlin stated.

“Our county is working to provide access for testing for those in need of tests. To date, we have allocated considerable resources for testing of our residents and to help beat back COVID-19,” Chair of the Legislature Mike Stammel remarked.

Students must demonstrate proof of residency, valid six months before testing, at the site. There is no fee for testing. Appointments are needed by students to be tested on Aug. 14 and Aug. 21.

Rensselaer County has paid for testing for residents since May. To date, more than 30,000 tests have been administered. The dedicated testing for college students is the latest testing effort supported by the county.

Testing is done by the IMA Group, and appointments can be made by calling IMA at 800-2454245. IMAhas been working with

the county since the spring to provide testing.

“We hope this is a help for students and parents in the county getting ready to head back to college for the fall. We understand there are a lot of uncertainties faced by our college students as we deal with a fastchanging situation,” Vice Chairwoman Kelly Hoffman noted.

“Rensselaer County is proud that we have provided over 32,000 tests in the county. We recognize testing as our guide to a careful and successful reopening and have made a strong commitment,” McLaughlin added.

Along with IMA, those needing testing can also use a state- operated site at the University at Albany. To make an appointment at the UAlbany site, call 888-3643065.

On Friday, officials also confirmed three more positive cases of COVID-19. The county also announced 13 cases as cleared for recovery, one of the higher totals during the past two weeks.

The new cases bring the total number of confirmed cases to 809. The new cases and releases bring the number of active cases to 96. The new cases include:

• A 52-year- old Brunswick man.

• A 38-year-old Schodack woman.

• A 54- year- old East Greenbush man.

There are 20 residents hospitalized for COVID-19, with three in the ICU. Presently, 462 residents are in monitor quarantine, including 107 due to exposure and 355 due to travel.

There have been 33,335 tests administered, including 470 tests recorded Thursday.

The 13 new releases announced Friday bring the total number of case clearances to 679.