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More COVID-19 cases linked to Albany street party

Jul 16, 2020 3:45 pm
Lauren Stanforth is reporting for the Times Union Albany County officials disclosed July 16 that five more people were infected with coronavirus as a result of attending a July 4 street party in Albany. The new cases increased to 11 the number of people who contracted the virus after attending the gathering, which attracted approximately 200 college-aged people. On July 15, the county expressed concern after it received 44 new positive cases, the largest daily increase in confirmed infections since May 20, generating the highest percentage of positive tests statewide. The overall new case count was much lower on Thursday, with 13 new cases, five of which where traced back to the block party. County leaders pleaded with party-goers to get tested. "We would like to encourage anyone who was at that party to be tested and contact Albany County Department of Health 518-447-4640," said Albany County Health Commissioner Dr. Elizabeth Whalen. Coronavirus has been most prevalent in the county among people aged 20-29, a group that is often asymptomatic and able to easily spread it to others. The heavily attended July 4 party raised worries that college students returning for the fall semester will regularly attend off-campus parties in the city neighborhoods favored by students. Also Thursday, the county announced four healthcare workers tested positive for the virus, include two staffers from the county's nursing home, Shaker Place in Colonie. Overall, nursing home cases are spiking in the Capital Region following a lull of several weeks. Read the full story in the Times Union.