Residents reminded to follow Phase 3 guidelines
ALBANY, N.Y. » The COVID-19 linked death toll in Albany County increased to 120. Albany County Executive Dan McCoy, confirmed Tuesday that a woman in her 90s had died from the virus overnight.
McCoy also detailed the latest numbers pertaining to the pandemic.
As of Tuesday morning, there have been 1,835 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County.
Additionally, there are 241 people under mandatory quarantine and one person under precautionary quarantine. Thus far 5,447 people have completed quaran
tine, with 1,728 of them having tested positive and recovered.
Presently there are 10 people hospitalized, bringing the hospitalization rate down slightly to 0.54%.
Ahead of the Phase 3 reopening Wednesday, the county executive analyzed the County COVID-19 Dashboard Tracker and the State Department of Health COVID-19 Tracker.
“The food service and accommodation sectors of Albany County’s economy alone includes an estimated 14,400 jobs, and by tomorrow, over 89% of the county’s jobs will be able to come back online. This is a huge milestone that we should all be proud of because it required us all to make some level of sacrifice,” McCoy remarked.
Yet, McCoy reinforced the need for businesses and people to continue the practice of wearing masks and social distancing.
“However, we have seen a small uptick in reports of businesses failing to enforce social distancing and the wearing of masks. I’m asking our business community and the public to do their part to ensure the progress we’ve made and the lives we’ve lost to the virus be in vain. Please follow the state guidelines and go get tested if you’re returning to work,” McCoy added.
As of this writing, 37,365 people in Albany County have been tested, with a positive rate of 5.4%. Topping the age range group of positive cases remains those who are 20 to 29 with 317. That group is followed by those in their 50s with 306 and those in the 60 to 69 age group with 226 total positive cases.
With the entering of Phase 3, social gatherings can have up to 25 people.
Businesses reopening, including restaurants and bars for indoor dining, along with nail and tanning salons, tattoo and piercing establishments, spas, cosmetology services, and waxing, must limit occupancy to 50%, not including employees. Social distancing must always be upheld and physical barriers must be installed if not possible in restaurants.
The county executive reminded residents that coinciding with Phase 3, Albany County, and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center will be providing a mobile COVID-19 testing site at the Times Union Center for those returning to work on Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. by appointment only.
The test sites and times are listed below:
Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center - 920 Lark Drive, Albany
• Wednesday – 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
• Friday – 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
• Thursday, June 18, 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Times Union Center, 51 South Pearl St., Albany