Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update (November 19, 2020)

Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy announced today that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County has now climbed to 4,760 to date, an increase of 94 new positive cases since yesterday. Please note that our overall case count will fluctuate as the CommCare records for college students are transferred to the county in which they are isolating for their daily monitoring and then transferred back to Albany County for the final case count.

Additionally, the number of people under mandatory quarantine has increased to 1,941 from 1,881. The five-day average for new daily positives dropped to 76.4 from 87. There are now 776 active cases in the county, up from 720 yesterday. So far, 19,896 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 3,984 of them had tested positive and recovered. Among the new positive cases, 27 had close contact with positive cases, five reported out of state travel, 53 did not have a clear source of infection at this time, and nine are healthcare workers or residents of congregate settings – though none from Shaker Place Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

There were three new hospitalizations to report overnight, while the number of county residents currently hospitalized from the virus remained at 44. There are now 10 patients in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit), down from 11 yesterday. The hospitalization rate has gone down to 0.92% from 0.94%. One of the deaths reported yesterday was later determined to be a Rensselaer County resident, which brings Albany County’s death toll down to 148 since the outbreak began. The County Executive was joined by County Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen for the briefing.

“A key component of our COVID-19 response efforts is contact investigating and tracing, but if people don’t cooperate with our contact tracers, we won’t be able to stop the spread of the virus. Over 56% of today’s positive cases didn’t have a clear source of infection, and that is a serious issue,” said County Executive McCoy. “I want to remind everyone that the information provided to contact tracers is completely confidential, and would never be used to prosecute someone or used against them in any way. Being truthful and forthcoming means we can identify potential clusters and prevent more people from getting sick or worse.”

During the briefing, County Executive McCoy also reminded residents that the county’s Adopt-A-Family program continues this Saturday at Crossgates Mall. The County Department for Children, Youth and Families will be collecting new, unwrapped everyday household items. Clothing and toys to be donated to local families at their drive-thru between 10am and 2pm at the overflow lot near the Tru by Hilton Hotel, across from 110 Grill. The easiest access point is the Western Avenue (Route 20) entrance.