Full Notification

In a press release, Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy reported today that there were 125 new positive cases yesterday and that the County’s COVID-19 pandemic total is now 59,315 positive cases.  The County’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases decreased from 282.8 to 267.2 cases. 
 
The County reported that there were eight OVID-19 hospitalizations overnight and that the number of hospitalized County residents is 93 patients, a decrease of three.  There are now 17 patients in the ICU, an increase of two.  The County reported the death of a man in his 80’s which raised the County’s pandemic death toll to 510.  The County Executive added:
 
It’s never easy to have to report another Albany County resident losing their life to COVID complications, and my thoughts and prayers are with the family who is now mourning.  And while we’re seeing our infection rate and total hospitalizations continue to drop, the high number of people in ICU’s with the virus remains a concern as they are at the greatest risk. 
 
I know many people are done with COVID, but it’s not done with us and we need to keep our guards up.  I continue to urge everyone to get the vaccine if they haven’t yet or the booster shot if they have, and to wear masks in public.
 
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 72.9% for the total population.  The State’s rate for one dose is 87.5% of the total population and 95.0% of adults, and the State’s rate for full-vaccination is 74.0% for the total population. 
 
The State’s COVID-19 website reported that yesterday’s results for 91,557 tests Statewide were 5,115 or 5.6% positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 6.6%.  The Capital Region had 4,450 tests of which 402 or 9.0% were positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 9.7%.  The County had 1,128 tests of which 82 or 7.3% were positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 8.9%.
 
Governor Hochul announced today that the State’s positive rate for tests was 5.59%.  Other COVID-19 data included new hospitalizations (7,191, +74), new admissions (506), ICU patients (1,161, -66), intubations (701, -8), and deaths (87).  
 
The CDC’s infection report continues to show that Albany County has a “high rate” of COVID-19 transmission with a seven-day average of 483.13 positive cases per 100,000 residents.  The nation’s infection rate (1,048.5) and the State’s rate (475.5) remain at “high” infection rates.  Alaska (2,273.1) has the highest infection rate, with New York again with the third lowest infection rate, eclipsed by only New Jersey (473.9) and Maryland (307.5). 

The FDA today granted full approval for Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for persons aged 18 years and older.  The vaccine had received the FDA’s emergency use authorization in December 18, 2020.  The CDC reports that almost 75 million Americans have been fully vaccinated with the Moderna vaccine.  In an accompanying statement, the acting FDA Commissioner stated: “While hundreds of millions of doses of Moderna Covid-19 vaccine have been administered to individuals under emergency use authorization, we understand that for some individuals, F.D.A. approval of this vaccine may instill additional confidence in making the decision to get vaccinated.”  The CDC now considers that an “up to date” vaccination status includes a booster given five months after the second dose.  A “full vaccination” means a person has received a primary series of an approved COVID-19 vaccine.

The CDC released new data which confirms that the likelihood of a boosted person dying from COVID-19 was one in a million.  It is about as close to zero as you can get.  The odds are about the same whether you are older or have underlying health conditions.  A boosted person is statistically far more likely to die of influenza or in a car accident, but those likelihoods are also extremely low, about three in one million.  As an aside, the CDC notes, on a page devoted to “Natural Disasters and Severe Weather,” that “the odds of being struck by lightning in a given year are only around 1 in 500,000.”  Not a direct correlation, but it shows that, like other rare and unfortunate oddities, that serious health consequences from COVID-19 are mathematically nearly non-existent for boosted individuals. 
 
I am very happy to share details and photos of projects by Eagle Scouts in Town parks and open space over the past year.  At Tawasentha Park, Asa Guntert (Troop 50) installed a picnic area near the pedestrian bridge and made improvements to the yellow connector trail.  Nick Darrigo (Troop 1083) constructed two benches near the pool house and two picnic tables.  Matthew Freidman (Troop 1083) installed Little Libraries at pool house and Nott Road Dog Park.  At Volunteer Firemen’s Park, Alexander Evans (Troop 50) constructed two benches and two picnic tables.  
 
At the Vosburgh Open Space, James Plummer (Troop 50) constructed an informational kiosk at the trail head on French’s Mills Road.  Conor Endres (Troop 1083) made improvements to the blue trail.  Sean Butler (Troop 50) constructed the new green wood lot trail.   Alex Hamilton (Troop 1083) improved the crossing for the French’s Mill trail to the pond view.  Sean Hickey (Troop 1083) constructed the new trail in the recently opened Westmere Trail. 
 
This collective work by these scouts greatly contributes to our enjoyment of the Town’s park system, and was assisted by parents, siblings, and friends.  These projects are the latest in the long collaborative history of scouts working with Parks staff on important improvements that are instrumental in expanding access to outdoor activities.  On behalf of the Town, I thank the scouts for jobs that were very well done. 
 
I was surprised to have heard so many congratulations for my upset pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in yesterday’s AFC playoff game, and a few noted that my other upset backing of the San Francisco 49ers, while losing to LA Rams, covered the point spread.  Sorry, but I never consider the spread.  Neither choice relied upon knowledge or talent, and were just preferences for my lifetime backing of underdogs (let’s Go Mets!), geographical proximity, and a son’s temporary residence. No idea yet on a pick for the Super Bowl game on Sunday, February 13, except to note that it is bookended by the scheduled end of the facemask mandate (February 10) and pandemic state of emergency (February 15).   If the pandemic is declared over by the Governor on that date, it will likely end these consecutive daily updates at just over 700.  
 
Thank you for staying safe and calm.
 
Peter G. Barber
Town Supervisor