VACCINES FOR STUDENTS
Albany County looks to partner with more high schools for vaccine clinics
ALBANY, N.Y. » Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy confirmed the COVID-19 attributed deaths of two residents, during his Monday morning press briefing. The deaths represented a stark reminder of how prevalent the virus presently remains.
“Tragically, we’ve lost two more county residents to the virus, after another COVID death reported on Saturday. My thoughts and prayers are with the families, and every family who has lost someone to this horrible disease. We need to do more to prevent more tragedies in the future,” McCoy remarked.
The deaths were a woman in her 60s and a man in his 80s. The death toll for Albany County stands at 369 confirmed since March 2020.
Additionally, the County Executive confirmed 44 new positive cases. The county has 520 active cases, 1,080 under mandatory quarantine and conversely, 49 cases cleared for recovery and release.
Encompassed within the new cases were 23 who did not have a present clear infection source, 17 who had close contact with other positive cases, three who were healthcare workers or congregate setting residents and one who reported outof-state travel.
McCoy also noted three new hospitalizations overnight. Currently, 27 total county residents are hospitalized from the virus, with six patients in the ICU.
Regarding the county’s vaccination efforts, Albany County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen confirmed the county has received 3,500 additional Pfizer vaccines this week. The new supply is vitally important as the county works with its schools to vaccinate those students age 16 and older. This Wednesday, April 14,
Watervliet Jr.-Sr. High School and partner Whitney Young Health will offer a first round COVID-19 vaccination clinic for district students aged 16 or older. A follow-up clinic for second doses will take place Wednesday, May 5.
That comes after Albany County and Mohawk Ambulance partnered in Watervliet this past Saturday and administered 800 doses at the Watervliet Recreational Facility. Plus, more than 400 Bethlehem high school students received a first dose of the vaccine. The county is also looking to vaccinate students at Albany high school as well.
“We know that when we look at transmission,
our teens are higher rates of transmissibility than younger kids,” Whalen remarked on the importance of getting teens vaccinated.
Whalen also spoke to new guidance issued on public safety health protocols for schools.
“Schools in districts can choose to reduce the distancing to no less than three feet,” Whalen said.
“They still recommend six feet between students and any adults. They still recommend six feet during meals, snacks or drinking and certain activities such as gym to the extent possible. They still recommend six feet for activities in which children are projecting their voices, such as singing. They still mandate facemasks in school,” Whalen detailed on the new recommendations.
“There is additional guidance on ventilation and filtration, the CDC has suggested the elimination of physical barriers and they are strongly suggesting that districts consider testing within the school environment,” Whalen added.
On the whole, as of Sunday, 44.8% of Albany County’s population has received at least their first vaccine dose, and 31.2% has been fully vaccinated. In comparison, the county is ahead of the statewide vaccination rates, with the statewide first dose vaccination rate at 37.4%, and full vaccination rate at 24.4%.
To date, the county has administered or reallocated 46,018 first and second doses of the COVID vaccine. Albany County alone has administered 29,233 doses at the clinics at the Times Union Center and Albany Capital Center.
“This week we look forward to hitting our 30,000 mark of people that have been vaccinated at our pods,” Whalen added.