Albany County sets new record with 147 newcases
Just a few days after setting a record number of new single-day COVID-19 cases, Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy announced Saturday that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County has now climbed to 4,406 to date, an increase of 147 new positive cases since Friday.
“It’s scary,” McCoy said during a press conference Saturday morning.
“We need your help, we really, really need your help,” McCoy added. “Please, please help us because the direction we’re heading in is worse than 8 months ago and I didn’t think it could get any worse.”
Additionally, the number of people under mandatory quarantine has jumped to 1,733 from 1,554. The five- day average for new daily positives rose to 92.4 from 70.8. There are now 596 active cases in the county, up from507 yesterday. So far, 18,719 people have completed quarantine.
Of those who completed quarantine, 3,810 of themhad tested positive and recovered. Among the new positive cases, 80 had close contact with positive cases, four reported traveling out of state, 54 did not have a clear source of infection at this time, and nine are healthcare workers or residents of congregate settings – though none from Shaker Place Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. Separately, 47 of the total new pos
itives announced today are associated with the University at Albany.
There were five new hospitalizations to report overnight, while the number of county residents currently hospitalized due to the virus increased to 38 from 35. There are now nine patients in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit), up fromeight on Friday. The hospitalization rate has gone up to 0.86% from0.82%. There were no new deaths to report since yesterday, and the county’s death toll remains at 147 since the outbreak began.
“We continue to set records here in Albany County, but not the kind I’m proud of. With 147 new positive cases announced today, we’ve shattered our previous single- day record from Wednesday when we saw 99 new cases. We also have the highest number of residents currently hospitalized since April 28. This needs to be a wakeup call for those who don’t believe the second wave is here,” McCoy said. “I hope it’s also a wake-up call for those who are called by our contact tracing team.
“Fifty-four people– more than a third of our total cases for today – don’t have a clear source of transmission. We need people to be truthful and forthcoming if we’re going to identify where the virus is being transmitted and prevent others from getting infected.”
Locations& Dates for the Week of Nov. 16 to Nov. 20
(Please note that Albany has a location change; drive-thru is encouraged at both the Albany andWatervliet locations, but walkups are still welcome)
Whitney Young Health Dental building (rear of building) – (new location) 900 Lark Drive, Albany (nowhas drive-thru option)
• Monday: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
• Friday: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Watervliet Administrative Building, 1804 Second Ave., Watervliet (Mobile Site now has drive-thru option)
• Wednesday: 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Community-wide testing continues on theUniversity at Albany (SUNY) campus by appointment only for thosewithorwithout symptoms. Appointmentsmay be made by calling the NYS hotline at 888-364-3065 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 2080Western 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 drivethru community testing site at Rite Aid, 1863 Central Ave. 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 www. riteaid. com. Tests will be conducted from within an individual’s car with selfswab nasal tests and with the help of a pharmacist.
Walgreens is now operating a testing facility at 41 Holland Ave., utilizing a self- collection model. Residents will be able to remain in their cars while assisted by pharmacists when necessary. Based on the 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 Johnstown. Testing is on
Tuesdays from7 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 within three to five business days. This is in partnership with the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
CVS is offering drivethru testing at select stores. Youmust register online for an appointment. To do that and find locations offering the drive-thru testing, go to the CVS website.