ALBANY — The county’s death toll climbed by 11, but the fatalities occurred at private nursing homes late last month and earlier this month.
It brings the total number of county residents who died from COVID-19 to 87. There has not been an Albany County fatality in eight days.
Nursing homes are regulated by the state Department of Health and data from nursing home are reported to the state database. It takes some time for that data to work its way back to the county, said Dr. Elizabeth Whalen, head of the county Health Department.
“It does not affect our metrics in Phase I and it won’t affect our metrics as we enter Phase II but it doesn’t change the fact 11 more people have lost their lives and 11 more families have been devastated,” said County Executive Dan McCoy.
From April 29 through May 9, nine females, all in their 70s, 80s and 90s, died at private nursing homes. The nursing homes were not specified.
On Thursday, there were 1,665 positive cases, up 21 from Wednesday. Five of those were nursing home employees that were tested as part of a state mandate to test all nursing home residents and employees twice a week.
As of Thursday, 1,322 Albany County residents who tested positive have recovered.
