Full Notification

In a press release, Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy reported today that there were 162 new positive cases yesterday and that the County’s COVID-19 pandemic total is now 59,816 positive cases.  The County’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases decreased from 231.1 to 205.4 cases.  

The County reported that there were 15 COVID-19 hospitalizations overnight and that the number of hospitalized County residents is now 78 patients, a decrease of two.  There are now 14 patients in the ICU, an increase of one.  The County reported the death of a woman in her 50’s that raised the County’s pandemic death toll to 516.  

State DOH reported that the County’s rate for one vaccine dose is 80.4% of the County’s total population and 89.0% of the adult population, and the County’s rate for full-vaccination is 73.0% for the total population.  The State’s rate for one dose is 87.6% of the total population and 95.0% of adults, and the State’s rate for full-vaccination is 74.2% for the total population.  

The State’s COVID-19 website reported that yesterday’s results for 191,908 tests Statewide were 9,418 or 4.9% positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 5.5%.  The Capital Region had 10,369 tests of which 783 or 7.6% were positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 8.5%.  The County had 2,409 tests of which 175 or 7.3% were positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 8.0%. 

Governor Hochul announced today that the State’s positive rate for tests was 4.91%.  Other COVID-19 data included new hospitalizations (6,177, -451), new admissions (689), ICU patients (995, -99), intubations (563, -78), and deaths (114).  Today’s number of hospitalized people is the lowest since December 27. 

In an announcement today, Medicare said that it will provide free at-home COVID-19 tests starting in the spring.  The new policy would “allow Medicare beneficiaries to pick up tests at no cost at the point of sale and without needing to be reimbursed.”  It is the first time that Medicare has covered the entire cost of an over-the-counter test.
 
If you are looking for interesting things to do inside during the winter, the Guilderland Public Library is offering numerous seminars and programs ranging from The Harlem Renaissance: Courage, Grace & Vision, Attracting Birds to Your Backyard!, and more than a dozen other opportunities for adults and children.  I signed up for one program, and the online registration was simple. These programs are very popular and often can quickly fill-up.  Here’s a link to the Library’s February 2022 newsletter for details about each program and registration.
 
Thank you for staying safe and calm.

Peter G. Barber
Town Supervisor