Full Notification

In a press release, Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy reported today that there were 299 new positive cases yesterday and that the County’s COVID-19 pandemic total is now 58,988 positive cases.  The County’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases decreased from 349.8 to 304.7 cases. 
 
The County reported that there were seven COVID-19 hospitalizations overnight and that the number of hospitalized County residents is now 93 patients, a decrease of eight.  There are still 15 patients in the ICU.  The County reported the death of a woman in her 90’s which raised the County’s pandemic death toll to 509.  
 
State DOH reported that the County’s rate for one vaccine dose is 80.3% of the County’s total population and 88.9% of the adult population, and the County’s rate for full-vaccination is 72.8% for the total population.  The State’s rate for one vaccine dose is 87.3% of the total population and 95.0% of adults, and the State’s rate for full-vaccination is 73.9% for the total population. 
 
The State’s COVID-19 website reported that yesterday’s results for 215,254 tests Statewide were 12,382 or 5.7% positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 7.3%.  The Capital Region had 8,970 tests of which 891 or 9.9% were positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 10.3%.  The County had 2,296 tests of which 233 or 10.1% were positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 9.5%.
 
Governor Hochul announced today that the State’s positive rate for tests was 5.73%.  Other COVID-19 data included new hospitalizations (7,675, -506), new admissions (863), ICU patients (1,186, -63), intubations (715, -16), and deaths (125).   The State’s COVID-19 pandemic death toll, as compiled by the CDC, is now at 65,427 deaths. 

As noted in yesterday’s update, the Governor announced the extension of the mandate for facemasks or proof of vaccination for indoor venues from February 1 to February 10.  She stated, however, that the facemask requirement for schools would be “indefinite.”   So far, I have not seen this extension noted in either the original State DOH determination or in a subsequent Executive Order.  The Legislature is apparently staying on the sidelines as the litigation over the mandate winds its way through the judicial system.  The dispute may become mooted if the Governor does not extend the mandate beyond February 10.

While the fate of the State’s facemask or proof of vaccination mandate is of great interest to parents, students, school administrators, business owners, patrons of indoor spaces, and a few lawyers, it is largely a sideshow for the Town as it seeks to protect visitors, staff, and their families in Town-operated indoor facilities.  As it has from the first day of the pandemic nearly two-years ago, the Town will follow CDC’s guidance for the wearing of facemasks in indoor public spaces as long as the community’s infection rate, as determined by the CDC, is 50 or more positive cases on a seven-day average per 100,000 residents.  The CDC’s most locally available “community” rate is Albany County which is now at 655 positive cases per 100,000 residents.  That number is far better than the peak of nearly 1,700 positive cases on a seven-day average in early January, but it may take several more weeks to reach 50. The Town will also continue following expert advice by discouraging indoor gatherings and holding only virtual meetings for all boards and committees at least through February 15 when the Governor’s most recent State of Emergency is scheduled to end. 
 
I hope that you are having an enjoyable and relaxing weekend.  It looks like we just missed by about 60 miles a whopper snowstorm.  For snow lovers like me, it is still only January, with our historically snowiest months still to come.  
 
Thank you for staying safe and calm.
 
Peter G. Barber
Town Supervisor