Albany County sees most COVID-19 hospitalizations since June 1

Eight Albany County COIVD-19 patients hospitalized overnight as surge continues
Steve Hughes

ALBANY – The county health department is dealing with a coronavirus outbreak among its staff, as hospitalizations in Albany County hit their highest level since June 1.

The news comes as the University at Albany and other local colleges also prepare to deal with any large Halloween parties in hopes of preventing a late semester outbreak before students head home for Thanksgiving.

Albany County Executive Dan McCoy speaks at a briefing on the increase in COVID-19 positive cases on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020, in Albany, N.Y. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union)Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union

Four health department employees have tested positive, pushing the county to cancel clinics and sending the remainder of its staff home to work remotely for the next two weeks, County Executive Dan McCoy and County Health Commissioner Elizabeth Whalen said Thursday.

        “This is an example of our employees doing the right thing- wearing a mask, social                 distancing, frequently sanitizing their hands and still contracting the virus," McCoy said.

The county did not say what role the staffers played within the department, or if it has been able to trace the transmission source.

The news came as eight more Albany County residents were hospitalized overnight after contracting COVID-19.

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