Albany County confirms three more nursing home deaths
County officials said the deaths were reported late by the state
ALBANY, N.Y. » Albany County Executive Dan McCoy announced three additional nursing home deaths from COVID-19. According to McCoy, the deaths from early May hadn’t been immediately initially relayed to the county from the state.
The three victims were two women in their 80s and one man in his 60s, bringing the COVID-19 linked death toll in the county to 76.
“We had three deaths at a private nursing home earlier this month that got reported to the state but for some reason never got reported to the county department of health,” McCoy commented.
“This happened back in early May, we just found out about it yesterday and we’re trying to work through the logistics for the reason we didn’t get it reported to us,” McCoy explained.
Albany County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen expounded upon the spike in nursing home positive cases.
“The bulk of the positive cases that we continue to see are from the nursing homes. We have worked with the state and all our local nursing homes to ensure that every resident has been tested,” Whalen stated.
“We are at the tail end of that very large sampling and the bulk of the cases that we’re getting represent people that are coming back positive. We continue to work with the state and the nursing homes to ensure that there is testing twice weekly of all workers in nursing homes,” Whalen added.
McCoy also detailed the latest
on the number of cases in the county.
As of Friday morning there are 1,619 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County, an increase of 41.
Additionally, there are 907 people under mandatory quarantine and three people under precautionary quarantine.
To date, 4,101 people have completed quarantine, with 1,064 of them having tested positive and recovered.
With 27 people hospitalized, the hospitalization rate for Albany County stands at 1.66%, up from 1.58% Thursday. There is one person in the ICU.
McCoy also went into more detail on enforcement measures with businesses reopening in Phase 1.
“Basically what we’ve gotten out of that conversation is look it’s going to be up to the people. It’s going to be up to the people that establish these businesses, it’s going to be up to the workers to let them know if something’s not being done correctly,” McCoy noted on what the state control room has told them regarding enforcement.
McCoy also mentioned where people can turn if they feel guidelines are being violated.
“There’s a New York state pause enforcement task force violation form that you can get. You can go online and this form you can fill it out and submit it so that they’ll know there’s a place not complying with the rules and [regulations] or if you feel unsafe,” McCoy said.
“Please by all means take the time and do this if you have an issue. As always you can call the hotline number, it’s 1-833-789-0470,” McCoy continued.
“While we want local businesses to reopen as soon as possible, we also need to ensure that everyone is on the same playing field and that they’re implementing the guidelines that will keep workers and customers safe. First and foremost, I want to educate business owners on the new restrictions before enforcement is ever necessary. However, those who do not comply won’t be covered by insurance and could face civil penalties and closures,” McCoy noted.
To that end, McCoy reminded people to remain vigilant and cautious with their actions this Memorial Day weekend.
“Ahead of Memorial Day, I know many residents want to be with friends and family to enjoy the nice weather and honor our fallen soldiers. These soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms, and I’m asking everyone to honor them by making sacrifices of their own in order to prevent the spread of the virus. Please avoid large gatherings, practice social distance, wear masks and stay home when possible so we can get to Phase 2,” McCoy added.
Albany County also listed its test site schedule for next week:
• Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center - 920 Lark Drive, Albany • Tuesday – 9 a.m. – noon • Wednesday – 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.
• Thursday – 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. • Friday – 9 a.m. – noon Rotating Locations & Dates for the Week of May 26
• Tuesday, May 26, 9 a.m. – noon
• Watervliet Health Center,
1804 Second Ave., Watervliet
• Tuesday, May 26, 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.
• Front of the Rensselaer County Administration Building, 1600 7th Ave., Troy
• Wednesday, May 27, 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.
• Capital South Campus, 20 Warren St., Albany
• Friday, May 29, 9 a.m. – noon
• Watervliet Health Center, 1804 Second Ave., Watervliet
• Friday, May 29, 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.
• Whitney Young Troy Health Center, 849 2nd Ave., Lansingburgh