Albany County reports record-high 1,229 new COVID cases

Albany County Executive Dan McCoy announced on Saturday that the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County is now at 46,798 to date, with 1,229 new positive cases identified since Friday. The county’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases is now up to 741. Albany County’s most recent seven-day average of cases per 100,000 is up to 190.6 and the Capital Region’s average of cases per 100,000 is now up to 199.4.

McCoy provided the latest update on the county’s progress on vaccinations and controlling the spread of the coronavirus. According to the Office of the Albany County Executive, as of Friday, 79.3% of all Albany County residents have received at least the first dose of the vaccine, and 71.9% have been fully vaccinated. The first dose vaccination rate for the county’s 18+ population is now up to 88.1%.

There are now 5,771 active cases in Albany County, up from 5,148 yesterday. The number of individuals under quarantine increased to 6,386 from 5,743. So far, 41,027 of those who tested positive have now recovered, an increase of 559 additional recoveries.

County Executive McCoy reported that there were 14 new hospitalizations since yesterday, and there are now 110 county residents currently hospitalized with the coronavirus. Thirteen of those hospital patients are in ICU’s, down from 16 Friday. McCoy also added, a woman in her 80’s has died from the virus. The death toll for Albany County now stands at 476 since the outbreak began.

Residents can receive free Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines (including booster shots) Monday through Friday, 9am – 3pm, each week at the Albany County Department of Health, 175 Green Street. Aside from Wednesdays, appointments are now required, which can be made at https://www.albanycounty.com/departments/health/coronavirus-covid-19/vaccination. Anyone eligible to receive a Covid-19 vaccine booster dose and would like to receive one from the Albany County Department of Health will be required to provide their vaccination card or the Excelsior Pass Plus in order to view the formula type, lot number and date of the inoculation.

“We have broken another record today in the number of new daily positive cases of COVID-19 and that is not good news,” County Executive McCoy said. “This comes as we have nearly 6,400 people quarantined and almost 6,000 active cases. We’ve also lost another member of our community to COVID-19 and I send my sympathy to her family. The increase in at-home testing kits and the opening of mass testing sites in our area are helping us to see exactly how much the virus has spread. Please get a vaccination if you haven’t and a booster if it’s time. That is the best way to protect ourselves and stop the spread. I urge you to stay home if you are sick and to get tested if you have any signs or symptoms.”

More information on vaccination rates around the state can be found at the New York State COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker at https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/vaccination-progress-date.