Albany county sets new hospitalizations record
One death also reported
Albany County reported one new COVID-19 death on Sunday as well as a new record for hospitalizations.
There were 13 new hospitalizations reported overnight, and there are 114 county residents currently hospitalized from the virus. There are now 21 patients in the ICU, down from 22 on Saturday.
There was one new COVID-related death to report from overnight. She was a woman in her 50s. The death toll for the county now stands at 192 since the outbreak began.
“We’ve lost another Albany County resident to COVID-19 and I am deeply saddened for her and her family. This comes at a time when we’ve broken another record with our hospitalizations which stands at 114 today,” Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy said on Sunday.
McCoy announced that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County has now climbed to 9,067 to date, an increase of 161 new positive cases since yesterday. The five- day average for new daily positives decreased to 197.2 from 200.6.
McCoy also reported that among the new positive cases, 25 had close contact with positive cases, 125 did not have a clear source of infection at this time, and eleven are healthcare workers or residents of congregate settings. There are now 1,604 active cases in the county, down from 1,619 yesterday.
The number of people under mandatory quarantine increased to 3,119 from 3,063. So far, 31,117 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 7,463 of them had tested positive and recovered.
Below is the schedule for Albany County’s COVID-19 mobile testing sites next week, 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, please call (518) 465- 4771.
Locations and dates for the week of Dec. 21 *(Please note the date and time changes) Monday, Dec. 21: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Times Union Center, 51 South Pearl St., Albany, NY 12207
Wednesday, Dec. 23: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Whitney Young Administrative Building, 1601 Broadway Watervliet, NY 12189
(Drive-up testing site. Large brick building across the parking lot from the Watervliet Whitney Young Health Center, across the street from McDonald’s)
Thursday, Dec. 24: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Times Union Center, 51 South Pearl St., Albany, NY 12207
Community-wide testing continues on the University at Albany (SUNY) campus by appointment only for those with or without symptoms.
Please be sure to call ahead to check for postponed testing appointments due to the winter storm. Appointments may be made by calling the NYS hotline at 888364-3065 or by visiting the State Department of Health website.
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 only be provided after appointments are made and after patients come in to be screened for expanded CDC symptoms. 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 now available at their website at the link here. Tests will be conducted from within an individual’s car with self-swab nasal tests and with the help of a pharmacist.
Walgreens is operating a testing facility at the 41 Holland Ave. 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.
Price Chopper(Market 32 is piloting a free COVID-19 test program at three of its New York drive-thru pharmacies. Customers can register for a test at the website here and they will get a voucher to go to one of the testing sites on a specific date. Local participating pharmacies are in Latham, Clifton Park and (ohnstown. Testing is on Tuesdays from 7 a.m.- 9 a.m. Customers won’t leave their car and will administer the test themselves with guidance from a pharmacist.
Results will be provided by eTrueNorth.
CVS is offering drivethru testing at select stores. You must register online for an appointment. To do that and find locations offering the drive-thru testing, go to the CVS website.
For all the latest data on COVID testing and results, you can refer to the Albany County COVID-19 Data Dashboard, as well as the New York State Department of Health COVID-19 Tracker.