ALBANY — There were 43 new cases of COVID-19 from Wednesday to Thursday, bringing the total number to 3,746.
“It’s two days after the election and the virus is still here and we are going in the wrong direction,” said County Executive Dan McCoy during a press briefing on Thursday. “It’s hard to explain. We had Halloween and people were out. There were a lot of kids out and there were a lot of parties. I’m not advocating closing down or a lot of the other measures but the reality is that is the direction we are heading.”
Of the new cases, 24 had close contact with positive cases, one reported traveling out of state and nine are health care workers or residents of congregate settings and nine do not have a clear source of infection at this time.
There were 31 new cases from Tuesday to Wednesday, 29 from Monday to Tuesday and 25 from Sunday to Monday.
As of Thursday, the number of people under mandatory quarantine jumped to 1,243 from 1,237 and the five day average increased to 29.2 from 26. There are 205 active cases in Albany County, up from 186.
Of the 17,137 people who have completed quarantine, 3,541 tested positive and recovered.
There were five new hospitalizations to report overnight, bringing the total to 29, up from 27 on Wednesday. There are two patients in the ICU, unchanged from Wednesday. The hospitalization rate is now .77 percent, up from 72 percent. The county’s death toll stands at 142.
“It’s the time now to double down on the preventative measure instead of loosening the restrictions,” said Dr. Elizabeth Whalen, head of the county Health Department. “People need to be committed to continue wearing the mask, which should cover the nose and mouth and limiting social gatherings, which include holiday gatherings. Unfortunately, this year has to be different but that is for the greater good.”
Schools have been back in session for about two months, she said, and about 15 percent of the COVID cases are generated from the school settings.
