Albany County sets single-day record
More than 1,000 new COVID cases recorded
ALBANY, N.Y. » Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy announced 1,010 new positive COVID cases identified since Wednesday.
That number marks the highest single-day confirmed total for the county since the county began tracking the pandemic in March 2020, surpassing the 1,003 released on New Year’s Eve. McCoy also confirmed the COVID-attributed death of a woman in her 30s. The county’s death toll stands at 474 since the pandemic began.
“Sadly, I have to report another COVID death today, along with a new daily infection record of 1,010,” McCoy remarked on the likely New Year’s holiday surge of cases. “This is the highest we’ve ever seen in Albany County since the pandemic started and the second time daily cases broke into the thousands in the last week. To put that number into perspective, the largest single-day increase we recorded last winter was 351, and this goes to show you just how contagious the Omicron variant is.”
The county’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases is up to 668.4. Albany County’s seven-day average of cases per 100,000 is up to 165.7 and the Capital Region’s average of cases per 100,000 is up to 171.2.
Presently there are 4,662 active cases in Albany County, up from 3,949 Wednesday. The number of people under quarantine increased to 5,271 from 4,535. Conversely, 261 people were released from quarantine.
McCoy reported 12 new hospitalizations, and there are 99 county residents currently hospitalized with the virus, 12 of those patients are in the ICU.
The County Executive additionally announced a shipment of new test kits from the state.
“In order to respond to the latest surge of COVID infections driven by the Omicron variant, I’m proud to once again distribute additional test kits that we’ve secured from Governor Hochul and our state partners. Today we will be distributing more than 10,000 test kits not only to our local cities, towns and villages based on population, but also to Stewart’s Shops in Albany County’s rural communities to ensure there is equity for those who do not have easily accessible COVID testing sites near them,” McCoy noted.
Stewart’s Shops locations receiving test kits include:
• 2475 Delaware Turnpike, Voorheesville, NY 12186
• 1001 Altamont Boulevard, Altamont, NY 12009
• 788 Helderberg Trail, East Berne, NY 12058
• 2457 Route 9W, Ravena, NY 12143
• 1344 Route 9w, Selkirk, NY 12158
• 1360 Indian Fields Road (off of State Route 32), Feura Bush, NY 12067
McCoy continued to encourage residents to submit the positive results of at-home COVID testing on the county website, and they should utilize the online submission link, or visit the Albany County website.
Residents can receive free Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines (including booster shots) Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., each week at the Albany County Department of Health, 175 Green Street. Aside from Wednesdays, appointments are now required. Anyone eligible to receive a COVID vaccine booster dose and would like to receive one from the Albany County Department of Health will be required to provide their vaccination card or the Excelsior Pass Plus in order to view the formula type, lot number, and date of the inoculation.
Albany County continues to deliver vaccines to homebound residents, which includes seniors, disabled individuals, those lacking childcare, and those with other accessibility issues. Anyone who would like to schedule a time for a vaccine appointment should call (518) 447-7198.
Residents who want a shot from a state-run facility should use the state’s website or call the state vaccine hotline at 1-833697-4829. For general information on the vaccine, residents can also dial the United Way of the Greater Capital Region’s 2-1-1 hotline or the Albany County Department of Health at (518) 447-4580.
COVID-19 testing continues to be available throughout Albany County and the Capital Region. Help finding a testing site near you can be found at the New York State website and the Albany County website.