VACCINES TO DOORSTEPS
Mobile vaccinations to become available in Capital Region thanks to partnership
ALBANY, N.Y. » Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy announced a new mobile vaccination vehicle being brought online in the coming weeks to bring COVID-19 vaccines to residents’ doorsteps.
McCoy was joined by Mohawk Ambulance Service Director of Operations Jovan Cruz and Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan to announce the new partnership.
Mohawk Ambulance Service has also purchased medical grade freezers and additional temporary storage and transportation equipment that will allow for the storing of more than 110,000 Pfizer doses and 220,000 Moderna doses, as well as establishing pop-up vaccination sites throughout the Capital Region.
“With the governor announcing last week that 1b vaccinations can begin tomorrow, we wanted to hit the ground running with this initiative,” McCoy said on Sunday during a press conference at The Times Union Center. “However, vaccine distribution needs to be done in an equitable way, and just as we listened to the community that asked us to bring COVID testing directly to them with our mobile testing sites, they’re now asking us to bring the vaccine to them.
“Many seniors, those living in our minority neighborhoods and those with underlying health conditions either can’t drive or don’t have access to reliable transportation. Mohawk Ambulance Service’s mobile vaccination vehicle being brought online will help to make sure the distribution process is one that is fair.”
“The ongoing COVID-19 vaccination process is one of the most challenging public health tasks that our nation has faced in generations, Mohawk Ambulance Service recognizes that everyone in health care has arole to play,” Cruz said. “That’s why we’ve been working for months on a plan that would allow us to vaccinate approximately 250,000 Capital Region residents.
“Public-private partnerships like the one we’ve forged with Albany County can be a model others look to. We’re proud of the partners we have in local government, like County Executive Dan McCoy and Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan. Together we’ll get through this.”
“It’s always been a goal of Mohawk Ambulance to bring the highest level of patient care to their doorstep, inside of their home, and this is just another way of doing that,” Cruz added.
Sheehan also spoke to the importance of a partnership like this one.
“This pandemic has disproportionately impacted the very residents who need the vaccine most. That’s why I’m proud to partner with Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy and Mo hawk Ambulance Service to ensure that some of our most vulnerable residents in Phase 1B have access to get vaccinated,” Sheehan said.
“This is a safe and effective vaccine,” Sheehan added.
During the press conference, McCoy also announced that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County has now climbed to 14,016 to date, an increase of 279 new positive cases since Saturday. The five-day average for new daily positives has increased to 276.6 from 272.2.
There were 13 new hospitalizations overnight, and there are 147 county residents currently hospitalized from the virus – a net decrease of two. There are now 11 patients in the ICU, down from 12 yesterday.
There was one COVID-related death to report since yesterday – a man in his 20s. The death toll for the county now stands at 250 since the outbreak began.
The county executive also reported that among the new positive cases, 36 had close contact with positive cases, 229 did not have a clear source of infection at this time, and 14 are healthcare workers or residents of congregate settings.
There are now 2,055 active cases in the county, down from 2,076 yesterday. The number of people under mandatory quarantine increased to 3,204 from 3,086. So far, 42,751 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 11,961 of them had tested positive and recovered. That is an increase of 286 recoveries since Saturday.
“Remember we’re going to get through this together,” McCoy said. “We’re in this together andwillwork together through this.”