DESPAIR AND HOPE
Albany County confirms 3 new deaths; vaccines soon at Shaker Place
ALBANY, N.Y. » Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy confirmed three additional COVID-19 related deaths, during his Friday morning press brief. The one woman and two men, all in their 90s, brought the confirmed county death toll to 175 since tracking of he pandemic began back in March.
“Any day we have to announce new deaths caused by the virus is a difficult one, and my thoughts and prayers are with the families,” McCoy remarked on the latest deaths of county residents.
The County Executive announced 177 new positive cases. Encompassed within the cases are 141 who either refused to or could not provide a clear source of infection, 21 with close contact to other positive cases, and 15 who are healthcare workers. There are also 1,505 active cases and 2,546 people under mandatory quarantine.
A day after hitting a record-high 98 hospitalized, the total hospitalized Friday dropped to 80. McCoy noted the hospitalization level is the lowest since Dec. 2. Yet, there were still 10 new hospitalizations overnight and 15 patients presently residing in the ICU.
In some positive news, the County Executive also provided an update on the vaccine front. After the FDA’s vaccine advisory committee recommended the emergency use of the vaccine Thursday night, Albany County learned when and where it will receive its first distribution of the vaccine.
“For our nursing home, Shaker Place will be getting its first batch of vaccine from Walgreens on December 21,” McCoy said regarding visits from Walgreens healthcare workers to conduct vaccinations.
“The injections will be broken into three different batches. So for those who receive the first shot will get their second shot three weeks later. So if you get your shot December 21, January 11 will be their second shot of the dose,” McCoy continued regarding the process.
“The third and final visit will be three weeks after that to give the final dose to the second group, so as if continues on in going to our nursing home,” McCoy noted.
“So all of the vaccines will have been distributed to those who want it at Shaker Place beginning in February besides the residents first and foremost and the workers. It’s estimated it’s going to take six weeks to [vaccinate] everyone in the nursing home,” McCoy added on the timetable to get the nursing home fully vaccinated.
Additionally, McCoy explained that the county has the facilities and trucks able to store dry ice, as well as freezers for the vaccine at Albany Medical Center. The County Executive also said they will be working with the state on an education campaign regarding the safety of the vaccine.