ALBANY COUNTY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Albany County Executive Dan McCoy was joined by Mohawk Ambulance Service Director of Operations Jovan Cruz and Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan on Sunday to announce a new mobile vaccination vehicle being brought online in the coming weeks to bring COVID-19 vaccines directly to residents.

Mohawk Ambulance Service has reportedly purchased medical grade freezers and additional temporary storage and transportation equipment that will allow for the storing of more than 110,000 Pfizer doses and 220,000 Moderna doses, as well as establishing pop-up vaccination sites throughout the Capital Region.

“With the Governor announcing last week that 1b vaccinations can begin tomorrow, we wanted to hit the ground running with this initiative. However, vaccine distribution needs to be done in an equitable way, and just as we listened to the community that asked us to bring COVID testing directly to them with our mobile testing sites, they’re now asking us to bring the vaccine to them,” said County Executive McCoy.

“Many seniors, those living in our minority neighborhoods and those with underlying health conditions either can’t drive or don’t have access to reliable transportation. Mohawk Ambulance Service’s mobile vaccination vehicle being brought online will help to make sure the distribution process is one that is fair,” continued County Executive McCoy.

“The ongoing COVID-19 vaccination process is one of the most challenging public health tasks that our nation has faced in generations. Mohawk Ambulance Service recognizes that everyone in health care has a role to play. That’s why we’ve been working for months on a plan that would allow us to vaccinate approximately 250,000 Capital Region residents,” said Jovan Cruz, Mohawk Ambulance Service Director of Operations.

“Public-private partnerships like the one we’ve forged with Albany County can be a model others look to. We’re proud of the partners we have in local government, like County Executive Dan McCoy and Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan. Together we’ll get through this,” continued Jovan Cruz, Mohawk Ambulance Service Director of Operations.

County Executive McCoy also announced that the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Albany County has now climbed to 14,016 to date, an increase of 279 new positive cases since Saturday. The five-day average for new daily positives has increased to 276.6 from 272.2.

The County Executive reported that among the new positive cases, 36 had close contact with positive cases, 229 did not have a clear source of infection at this time, and 14 are healthcare workers or residents of congregate settings.

Health officials say there are now 2,055 active cases in the county, down from 2,076 Saturday. The number of people under mandatory quarantine increased to 3,204 from 3,086. So far, 42,751 people have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 11,961 of them had tested positive and recovered. That is an increase of 286 recoveries since Saturday.

There were 13 new hospitalizations reported overnight, and there are 147 county residents currently hospitalized from the virus – a net decrease of two. There are now 11 patients in the ICU, down from 12 reported Saturday. There was unfortunately one COVID-related death reported since Saturday – a man in his 20’s. The death toll for the county now stands at 250 since the outbreak began.

“This pandemic has disproportionately impacted the very residents who need the vaccine most. That’s why I’m proud to partner with Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy and Mohawk Ambulance Service to ensure that some of our most vulnerable residents in Phase 1B have access to get vaccinated,” said Mayor Sheehan.