Albany County issued the following announcement on July 27.
Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that as of this morning, there have now been 2,229 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in Albany County to date, an increase of 7 since yesterday. Additionally, the number of people under mandatory quarantine has increased from 892 yesterday to 900 today. The five-day average for new daily positive cases is now down to 18 from 19.4 yesterday. There are currently 87 active cases, down from 96 yesterday. So far, 6,949 individuals have completed quarantine, while 2,142 of them have tested positive and recovered, an increase of 16.
There are still currently four individuals hospitalized and the hospitalization rate has decreased to 0.17% from 0.18% yesterday. There is still one patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). There were no new deaths to report and the county’s death toll remains at 124 since the outbreak began. Among the new positive cases reported today include one with close contact to positive cases, one who had reported traveling out of state, one was a healthcare worker or resident of private congregate settings and four did not have a clear source of transmission.
None of today’s announced positives has been linked to those who either attended the Fourth of July party on Hudson Avenue in Albany or were with the same group of people on July 3 or July 5. The total for that group remains at 39. County Executive McCoy continues to urge those who attended the party to call the Albany County Department of Health at (518) 447-4640 to get expedited testing.
“No one wants to fine or shutdown businesses who continue to struggle to get back on their feet in the wake of the pandemic and economic shutdown. But I can assure you, the few in Albany County that continually disregard the state guidelines on mask wearing and social distancing – and in doing so the health of their customers – will be held accountable,” said County Executive McCoy.
“My office has been working with Sheriff Apple and other local enforcement agencies to investigate and engage with those who are the subject of complaints. Fortunately, the vast majority of retailers have either been responsible or require only reminders or cease and desist orders. I’m also happy the State is doing its part through the newly created Enforcement Taskforce for businesses who are licensed by New York, including bars, barbershops and salons,” he continued.
According to Sheriff Craig Apple, Sr., as of today his office has received 575 complaints within Albany County. Some of those have been filed against restaurants and bars, but most have been convenient stores and big box retail stores. Six cease and desist orders have been issued for those businesses who have already been warned to follow the state guidelines. No criminal charges have been filed against business owners to date. Sheriff Apple also said that they will be increasing their enforcement activities going forward for those businesses who have received complaints. Customers can file complaints at the link.
During the briefing, County Executive McCoy announced the eleventh week of the Albany County Stay Safe Teen Challenge, a partnership with the Albany Police Athletic League and AT&T. This week’s theme is “What’s Your Hobby?” The economic shutdown, quarantine and social distancing have been hard on people, and many have turned to starting new hobbies to pass the time away from friends and loved ones. Teens are encouraged to post a photo or video of their new hobby to Instagram with the hashtag “#AlbanyCountyStaySafe” by Saturday, August 1 for their chance to win a $25 gift card to a local business.
Below is this week’s schedule for Albany County’s walk-up COVID-19 mobile testing sites, a collaboration with the Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center. The schedule is based on demand and mobile site locations are updated weekly based on that need. Testing is for those experiencing symptoms, essential workers and those returning to work by appointment only, after being screened over the phone. To be screened, please call (518) 465-4771.
Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center - 920 Lark Drive, Albany
• Wednesday – 8:30am – 10:30am
• Friday – 8:30am – 10:30am
Rotating Locations & Dates for the Week of July 27
The full updated schedule can be found at the Albany County website here.
• Tuesday, July 28, 9am – 11am
Watervliet Health Center, 1804 Second Ave, Watervliet
The County Executive continues to offer two gallons of hand sanitizer to businesses, nonprofits, churches and others who have filed their health and safety plan affirmation statements, and invites local Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), Chambers of Commerce and others to help distribute to their members. Anyone interested who has not already received any hand sanitizer can go to the back of the Times Union Center by taking Market Street, follow the ramp to the right and call (518) 487-2023 when you arrive. This will run each week, Monday through Friday, from 8am to 6pm.
County Executive McCoy continues to highlight the testing site in Albany County at Priority 1 Urgent Care, which is now also providing antibody testing, located in Hamilton Square at 2080 Western 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.
County Executive McCoy also encourages those who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to register for the drive-thru community testing site at Rite Aid, 1863 Central Avenue 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 9am and 5pm, 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 self-swab nasal tests and with the help of a pharmacist.
For those experiencing stress, anxiety or depression during the ongoing pandemic and gun violence in the City of Albany, the Albany County Mental Health Support Line is available seven days a week, now from 8am to 5pm at (518) 269-6634. Anyone experiencing a psychiatric emergency should still call the Albany County Mobile Crisis Team at (518) 549–6500. The 24-hour sexual assault hotline number is (518) 447-7716.
Original source can be found here.
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