Official stresses continued vigilance
Albany County Executive Dan McCoy confirms 14 new cases
ALBANY, N.Y. » Albany County Executive Dan McCoy confirmed 14 new positive cases of COVID-19 Thursday morning.
Among the 14 new positive cases are nine people who had close contact with positive cases, two who are healthcare workers or residents of congregate settings and three who did not have a clear source of infection at this time. Also encompassed within those new cases, eight of the reported positives for Thursday are associated with the University at Albany.
Presently, the county has 93 active cases, an increase of one from 92 on Wednesday.
According to McCoy, the county has seen 2,876 residents with confirmed cases of COVID-19 since tracking of the pandemic began back in March.
The County Executive confirmed 884 people are under mandatory quarantine, an increase from 854 on Wednesday. The five-day average for new daily positives decreased to 14.4 from 16. Thus far, 11,706 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 2,783
of them had tested positive and recovered.
Thursday marks the fourth consecutive day of no new hospitalizations to report, with the number of county residents currently hospitalized due to the virus standing at eight and the hospitalization rate remaining at 0.27%. There are still no patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and there were no new deaths to report.
The county’s death toll remains at 134 since the outbreak began being tracked in March.
A day prior, McCoy also remarked on the grim milestone of 200,000 deaths attributed to COVID-19 in the U.S.
“[ Tuesday] marked a tragic milestone for our country – 200,000 COVIDrelated deaths since the outbreak began, with the toll growing higher by the day. That’s more than the combined populations of the City of Albany and the Town of Colonie, wiped out. My heart breaks for every family whohas lost someone they love to this pandemic, especially those here in Albany County,” McCoy stated.
“While the infection rate remains low and our hospital data is stable here
in the Capital Region and throughout New York, this is a reminder that we still have a long road ahead of us. Please continue to do the right thing and wear masks, practice social distancing, avoid large gatherings and get tested,” McCoy added on trying to keep the infection rate low.
Additionally, with the flu season approaching, McCoy made a couple of stops on Albany County’s Stop the Flu campaign Wednesday, in Cohoes and at the Albany County Department of
Health. McCoy and county legislators were delivering flu prevention bags to seniors with thermometers, hand sanitizer, face masks and more.
Below is the remainder of this week’s schedule for Albany County’s walk-up COVID-19 mobile testing sites, a collaboration with the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center. Testing is for those experiencing symptoms, essential workers and those returning to work by appointment only, after being screened over
the phone. To be screened, you’re encouraged to call (518) 465- 4771.
Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center - 920 Lark Drive, Albany
• Friday – 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Community-wide testing continues on the University at Albany campus by appointment only for those with or without symptoms. Appointments may be made by calling the NYS hotline at 888-364-3065 or by visiting the State Department of Health website.
Additionally, McCoy continues to highlight the testing site in Albany County at Priority 1 Urgent Care, which also provides antibody testing, located in Hamilton Square at 2080 Western Avenue in Guilderland. Testing will be reimbursed by an individual’s health insurance, and will be done by appointments only after patients come in to be screened for expanded CDC symptoms. Priority 1 is also now doing antibody testing. To schedule an appointment, you can call (518) 867-8040.
The County Executive also encourages those who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to register for the drive-thru community testing site at Rite Aid, 1863 Central Avenue in Colonie. Testing is free for those who are eligible based on CDC guidelines and are at least 18 years old. It’s available between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., seven days a week by appointment only. Registration is available at www. riteaid.com.
Tests will be conducted from within an individual’s car with self-swab nasal tests and with the help of a pharmacist.
Walgreens is also operating a testing facility at the 41 Holland Avenue location utilizing a self- collection model. Residents will be able to remain in their cars while assisted by pharmacists when necessary. Based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, individuals who are 18 years or older may be tested once completing an eligibility assessment at the Walgreens website or at their app. Patients can get their results from PWNHealth.
Plus, CVS is offering drive- thru testing at select stores. You must register online for an appointment. To do that and find locations offering the drivethru testing, go to the CVS Website.