Archive » April 2020 » News

New testing site to open in Colonie, COVID-19 death toll climbs to 23

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Rite-Aid pharmacists will conduct the COVID-19 tests at the new site in Colonie, handing people who drive through a swab they will use for a nasal test; results will be reported through email or by phone. The site is expected to perform about 200 tests per day.

Paul Tonko

Tonko says federal aid not likely now for state and local governments, maybe in the fourth round

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

ALBANY COUNTY — Congressman Paul Tonko does not think that local and state governments will receive federal aid as part of the “interim model” currently being hashed out in Congress, but he is hopeful the fourth round of coronavirus aid will include those funds.

Photos: BKW Pride on Parade

Berne-Knox-Westerlo held a Springtime Parade on Friday afternoon, during a time of isolated learning and video-conferencing teachers.The entourage was led by Deputy Nathaniel Bray, BKW’s school resource officer.

Two more county residents have died of COVID-19, bringing the death toll to 22

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

In announcing confirmed cases at daily briefings, Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy gives just the number of cases not the location of the residents who were infected. “We wanted people to know it was all around us,” he said. McCoy also said the county hopes to post data on its website this week.

In midst of pandemic, county offers services for addiction and alcohol abuse

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

“The concerns that lead to using more drugs and alcohol or potentially relapsing if you’re in recovery or even overdosing are present all together right now and posing enormous challenges to folks that are struggling with addiction,” says Stephen Giordano, Ph.D., director of the Albany County Department of Mental Health.

Gov calls on lawyers to work pro bono to help jobless

With unemployment numbers reaching historic levels due to the coronavirus pandemic, Governor Andrew Cuomo has called upon the pro bono network formed by the New York State court system and the New York State Bar Association to help jobless New Yorkers. 

Scott Tenenbaum

SUNY Poly works on COVID-19 testing

Two SUNY Polytechnic Institute faculty members — Empire Innovation Professor of Nanobioscience Nate Cady and Associate Professor Scott Tenenbaum, head of Nanobioscience — have been awarded funding by the State University of New York to fabricate a more complex novel coronavirus diagnostic test that can provide additional data to arm me

Donations sought to feed those who are homebound or out of work

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Feed Albany and the South End Children’s Café are accepting donations to provide food for those who need it in the midst of the pandemic.

As downstate plateaus, Albany County COVID-19 cases continue to climb

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

“We are not in any way, shape, or form in a downward trend at this point,” says Albany County Health Commissioner Elizabeth Whalen as confirmed cases of COVID-19 continue to rise in the county.

As sales-tax revenues plummet, counties seek federal aid

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

“We’re  going to go through a time where we’re going to be seriously economically hurt, disadvantaged, and we need to continue to provide the services …,” said Stephen Acquario, executive director of the New York State Association of Counties.

At Shaker Place: 12 workers and 22 residents have tested positive for COVID-19, two residents have died

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Outbreaks of COVID-19 in nursing homes are not the result of inattentiveness or a shortcoming in facilities, according to Stephen Hanse, president and chief executive officer of the New York State Health Facilities Association and the New York State Center for Assisted Living. “The very nature of long-term care is a high-touch environment where social distancing is not an option. Staff are helping residents with bathing, dressing, eating, and other personal daily needs,” he said.

Gov outlines plan for ‘new normal’

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

This week, Governor Andrew Cuomo extended the state’s “pause” to at least May 15 — keeping schools and nonessential businesses shut — and also has outlined a plan to “un-pause” New York.

Switzkill Valley Volunteers

New Hilltown charity sets up Little Free Pantry

by Noah Zweifel 

The Switzkill Valley Volunteers, a recently developed charity group that focuses on individuals, has opened up a Little Free Pantry at the Helderberg Lutheran Church in Berne. Donations of nonperishable foods and other resources may be dropped off and picked up at will. Unlike a traditional food pantry, there is no criteria that must be met in order to access the donations. 

Over 200 Berne-Knox-Westerlo students without internet service will soon have it.

“This is the information highway,” said Timothy Mundell, superintendent of the Berne-Knox-Westerlo schools, of wireless internet coming to the Hilltowns. “This is the economy of the 21st Century and we are preparing kids for their futures and not our past. The box-like object in front of him is an antenna for the new system to be installed by Hudson Valley Wireless.

Guilderland Planning Board will meet on April 22

GUILDERLAND — The town’s planning board will meet at the town hall on April 22 at 7 p.m.

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