Full Notification

In a press release, Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy reported today that there were 387 new positive cases yesterday and that the County’s COVID-19 pandemic total is now 60,583 positive cases.  The County’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases increased from 182.8 to 207 cases. 
 
The County reported that there were two COVID-19 hospitalizations overnight and that the number of hospitalized County residents is now 65 patients, a decrease of four.  There are still 10 patients in the ICU.  The County reported the death of a woman in her 60’s which raised the County’s pandemic death toll to 519.  The County Executive added:
 
While we have a significant jump in the number of new positive cases today, a large number of them were from delayed reporting by a single testing facility.  Our new overnight hospitalizations are down, which is a good sign.  However, we have lost another Albany County resident to the virus and my thoughts and prayers are with her loved ones.
 
State DOH reported that the County’s rate for one vaccine dose is 80.6% of the County’s total population and 89.2% of the adult population, and the County’s rate for full-vaccination is 73.2% for the total population.  The State’s rate for one dose is 87.9% of the total population and 95.0% of adults, and the State’s rate for full-vaccination is 74.5% for the total population. 
 
The State’s COVID-19 website reported that yesterday’s results for 161,261 tests Statewide were 5,680 or 3.5% positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 4.6%.  The Capital Region had 6,120 tests of which 736 or 12.0% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 8.5%.  The County had 2,183 tests of which 376 or 12.0% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 9.0%.
Governor Hochul announced today that the State’s positive rate for tests was 3.52%.  Other COVID-19 data included new hospitalizations (5,147, -319), new admissions (558), ICU patients (854, -32), intubations (494, -13), and deaths (68).   The State’s cumulative death toll, as compiled by the CDC, is now at 66,730 deaths.   

The CDC released a study which confirmed that N95 and KN95 facemasks provide the best protection against COVID-19 in indoor public settings.  The study found that N95 and KN95 masks reduced the likelihood of testing positive by 83%, surgical masks reduced the outcome by 66%, and cloth masks were at 56%.  The results are not surprising.
 
I continue to receive reports from friends and neighbors that they have received the free at-home COVID-19 test kits that were ordered back on January 18 or 19.  I still have not received them.  If you would like to try ordering four free at-home COVID tests, here is the Federal government’s online website and the direct link to the Post Office website for ordering.  There is also a toll-free number (800-232-0233) for ordering the kits every day from 8am to midnight.  

I hope that you are enjoying a relaxing and enjoyable weekend, and not spending too much time chopping ice and hardened snow from your driveway and walkway.   It looks like next week’s sunny weather and temperatures in the low 40’s might be a better option.   
Thank you for staying safe and calm.
 
Peter G. Barber
Town Supervisor