As the county reported 11 new coronavirus cases, Albany County Executive Dan McCoy devoted much of his Friday COVID-19 briefing to how the pandemic has affected people experiencing homelessness in the Capital Region.

The County Department of Social Services (DSS) says there has been a 47 percent increase in the unsheltered homeless population between July 2019 and last month. DSS and the Homeless and Travelers Aid Society (HATAS) have been working to help the homeless navigate the pandemic.

Code Blue shelters have stayed open so people have a safe place to go and can socially distance. The shelters are also adhering to CDC guidelines regarding cleanliness and food preparation and other services.

Both organizations say the key is shelter.

“Housing is healthcare,” HATAS Executive Director Liz Hitt said. “How do you social distance or wash hands without housing? Without a functioning partnership, this is not going to work, and people will die.”

DSS Commissioner Michele McClave spoke to how a possible outbreak in the community would be addressed.

"If we suspect that someone may have symptoms, we get them into testing and into motels for the two weeks, so we can get them away from the rest of the population,” McClave said.

All the officials agree that testing is the key to keeping the numbers low.