“We received word overnight,” said Albany County Health Commissioner Elizabeth Whalen at Friday’s press briefing of expanded testing at the University at Albany. “They’re looking to cast a much broader net of people that need to be screened or tested for COVID-19.”

“Every bit of every part of the work we do is rethought and needs to constantly be rethought again,” says Marie Wiles, superintendent of the Guilderland schools.

Unlike Governor Andrew Cuomo’s announcement earlier in the week that schools would not reopen this year, which was hailed by educators, his plan to have the state work with the Gates Foundation “to reimagine education” met with resistance from some groups of educators.

Working with other staff, Kathleen Dethomasis said, nurses call each person who tests positive for COVID-19, collects their contact information, and provides them with education and strategies to prevent further spread of the disease, including adherence to isolation and quarantine orders.

In New York State, none of the 10 regions Governor Andrew Cuomo has defined has been able to meet all seven requirements for reopening. 

“Overall … our numbers are steady,” said Albany County Health Commissioner Elizabeth Whalen at Tuesday’s county press briefing. “We have done a pretty good job flattening our curve and we have not seen issues with surge capacity in our hospitals, similar to downstate.”

The Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region has started a grant program for small businesses hurt by the pandemic. The county executive says he is confident the Capital Region can “in a timely manner” meet the seven steps required by the governor to reopen businesses. 

In some countries, such as Sweden, the thinking is, “If we know this is a disease that disproportionately affects older individuals, why don’t we just tell our older individuals to stay home?” The younger people, then, can continue going to work, said Albany County Health Commissioner Elizabeth Whalen. “The problem is … there will be deaths,” said Whalen. “The question is: How comfortable is a society with that?”

About two months ago, United Way established the Capital Region Community COVID-19 Response Fund and has so far raised over $800,000 with $650,000 already being given back to the community.

A team of 30 specially trained Red Cross Disaster Mental Health, Disaster Spiritual Care, and Health Services volunteers will be available to support families with their emotional and spiritual needs, as well as provide information and referrals to state and local agencies as well as other community organizations to help families meet their immediate needs.