Full Notification

In a press release, Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy reported today that there were 158 new positive cases yesterday and that the County’s COVID-19 pandemic total is now 60,202 positive cases.  The County’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases decreased from 203 to 182.8 cases. 
 
The County reported that there were five COVID-19 hospitalizations overnight and that the number of hospitalized County residents is now 69 patients, a decrease of 10.  There are now 10 patients in the ICU, a decrease of two.  The County reported the deaths of a woman in her 80’s and a woman in her 90’s which raised the County’s pandemic death toll to 518.  
 
State DOH reported that the County’s rate for one vaccine dose is 80.5% of the County’s total population and 89.1% of the adult population, and the County’s rate for full-vaccination is 73.1% for the total population.  The State’s rate for one dose is 87.8% of the total population and 95.0% of adults, and the State’s rate for full-vaccination is 74.3% for the total population. 
 
The State’s COVID-19 website reported that yesterday’s results for 192,754 tests Statewide were 7,246 or 3.8% positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 4.9%.  The Capital Region had 7,130 tests of which 452 or 6.3% were positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 7.8%.  The County had 2,006 tests of which 128 or 6.4% were positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 7.2%.

Governor Hochul announced today that the State’s positive rate for tests was 3.76%.  Other COVID-19 data included new hospitalizations (5,466, -366), new admissions (593), ICU patients (886, -48), intubations (507, -24), and deaths (91). 

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 376.75 positive cases per 100,000 residents.  The nation’s infection rate (660.2) and the State’s rate (306.2) remain at “high” infection rates.  Alaska (1,657.5) continues with the highest infection rate, with New York now having the fourth lowest infection rate behind only New Jersey (270.2), Connecticut (282.5), and Maryland (197.3).   Every state exceeds the CDC’s threshold of 50 cases per 100,000 residents on a seven-day average at which facemasks are recommended in indoor settings.

The CDC reported that the nation will pass a grim threshold this weekend with more than 900,000 deaths since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic nearly two years ago.  And while over the past two-weeks, the numbers of infected persons has fallen by 50% and hospitalizations have declined by nearly 20%, the death rate has increased by 30% to more than 2,600 Americans each day.

The CDC also released a report which showed that fully vaccinated persons account for a majority of positive cases because, even at the national level, they are 64% of the population.  But when looking at serious cases, unvaccinated persons now account for more than 75% of intubated persons and deaths.  And when compared to boosted people, the comparison is far worse, with unvaccinated persons 84 times more likely than boosted people to have serious consequences. 

At the local level, where vaccination rates are much higher, the weekly COVID-19 data from the area’s regional hospitals showed that unvaccinated persons accounted for 64% (38 of 59) of ICU patients, 52% (11 of 21) of intubated patients, and 57% (20 of 35) of deaths. Nearly all of the fully vaccinated persons in area hospitals have serious underlying health conditions, and to date, no boosted person has died of COVID-19.

Today’s update reached one of those significant numbers but, to me, it means that we are nearing the second year anniversary of a global pandemic in our community.  When I approached the 200^th consecutive daily update, I remarked about my surprise on reaching that threshold and thought that a 300^th edition would be unlikely.  No guarantees but I highly doubt that there will be a need for 800^th update, but, if there is, I’ll write it.      

I hope that you are having a relaxing and enjoyable weekend.   

Thank you for staying safe and calm.
 
Peter G. Barber
Town Supervisor