‘We are just at the start of the outbreak,’ says health commissioner

The Enterprise — Michael Koff

“If we lose that front line of defense before we get to the hospital, it will break down,” Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy said as he announced the county’s distribution of 5,000 N95 masks to emergency medical service workers across Albany County as well as to Albany Medical Center and St. Peter’s Hospital. 

ALBANY COUNTY — Confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County rose to 89 Saturday morning, and the county executive, Daniel McCoy, said he would not be surprised to have confirmed cases reach 100 by Monday.

But, while the number has risen steadily since the first two cases were announced on March 12, after Monday the number is expected to drop — not because the outbreak has subsided but because testing is now being limited.

Test results take two or three days to come back. Albany Medical Center stopped community testing on Friday and St. Peter’s Health Partners the day before.

As the numbers may start to decline on Monday or Tuesday, Elizabeth Whalen, Albany County’s health commissioner, said, “That’s not a reason for celebration; that’s not a reason for comfort. The likelihood is we are just at the start of the outbreak.”

“The testing has to be directed where it’s needed most,” Whalen said at Saturday morning’s press conference. That means the remaining test kits, supplied through the federal government, will be used for patients sick enough to be hospitalized and for health-care workers who have been exposed to the virus, Whalen said.

“I’m surprised there are still those out there that don’t get they have to stay home,” said Whalen. If the virus were allowed to run its course, she said, the health-care system could collapse.

“Your staying home is saving a life,” Whalen said, citing a slogan used by health-care workers: Please stay home because we can’t.

“We do encourage those who have symptoms to contact their doctors,” Whalen said. The symptoms for COVID-19 are a fever, cough, and shortness of breath. “Eighty percent will be able to be managed at home and will be fine,” she said, directing residents to the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for instructions on home care.

McCoy announced at Saturday morning’s press conference that Albany County now has 386 people under mandatory quarantine and 571 under precautionary quarantine.

McCoy also announced that the county’s department of health had, under Whalen’s leadership, gone through a two-year process to obtain accreditation so that, having prepared in advance, it was able to distribute 5,000 N95 masks to emergency medical service workers across the county as well as to Albany Medical Center and St. Peter’s Hospital. The N95 masks protect the wearers from airborne particles.

“If we lose that front line of defense before we get to the hospital, it will break down,” McCoy said.

He also said, “We need to follow the governor’s mandate … All nonessential business is to close.”

On Friday, as Governor Andrew Cuomo announced there are now 7,102 confirmed cases of coronavirus in 23 counties, he executed a 10-point policy meant to assure safety for everyone.

Effective on Sunday at 8 p.m., all non-essential businesses are to close across the state. Also, all non-essential gatherings of any size for any reason are banned.

“This is the new normal,” said McCoy. “It’s going to be this way a couple of months.”

McCoy gave out the number of the county’s new Mental Health Support Line: 518-269-6634.

“If you’re struggling with depression, call this line,” he said. The line is open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Anyone experiencing a psychiatric emergency should still call the Albany County Mobile Crisis Team at 518-549–6500.

For all COVID-19 questions and concerns, Albany County residents are encouraged to use United Way’s 2-1-1 hotline as well as the State Department of Health’s hotline at 888-364-3065.

The county’s health department is looking for volunteers to help answer phones and make calls to residents under quarantine. For more information on volunteering, call the Department of Health’s Medical Reserve Corps Coordinator at 518-447-4610.

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