Full Notification

In a press release, Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy reported today that there were 89 new positive cases yesterday and that the County’s COVID-19 pandemic total is now 60,728 positive cases.  The County’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases decreased from 199.7 to 193.2 cases. 
 
The County reported that there were eight COVID-19 hospitalizations overnight and that the number of hospitalized County residents remained at 62 patients.  There are now 10 patients in the ICU, an increase of one.  The County reported the death of a woman in her 90’s which raised the County’s pandemic death toll to 522.  The County Executive added:
 
We usually see the daily number of new COVID infections dip on Monday and Tuesday, however the last time we reported daily cases in the double digits before this week was back on November 29.  We are undoubtedly making progress coming off the Omicron wave that peaked last month, but sadly we’re still not out of the woods yet as we continue to report new COVID hospitalizations and deaths.
 
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 88.0% of the total population and 95.0% of adults, and the State’s rate for full-vaccination is 74.6% for the total population. 
 
The State’s COVID-19 website reported that yesterday’s results for 99,004 tests Statewide were 4,281 or 4.4% positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 4.5%.  The Capital Region had 3,479 tests of which 225 or 6.5% were positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 8.2%.  The County had 1,028 tests of which 57 or 5.6% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 9.1%.

Governor Hochul announced today that the State’s positive rate for tests was 4.32%.  Other COVID-19 data included new hospitalizations (5,019, -50), new admissions (425), ICU patients (790, -24), intubations (426, -26), and deaths (71).
   
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 377.73 positive cases per 100,000 residents.  The nation’s infection rate (521.5) and the State’s rate (251.2) remain at “high” infection rates.  Alaska (1,479.6) continues with the highest infection rate, with New York now having the fifth lowest infection rate and Maryland (166.2) again having the lowest rate.
 
There is growing expectation that tomorrow Governor Hochul will not renew her proof of vaccination or wear a facemask mandate for indoor venues which expires on Thursday.  The separate DOH determination that requires the wearing of facemasks in schools is currently scheduled to expire on February 21.  Several states yesterday announced the end of facemasks mandates in schools but delayed their actual rollback until mid to late March.  And while there is momentum at state levels for a return to normalcy, the CDC continues to recommend facemask requirements in schools and indoor settings as long as the infection rate remains high.   
 
Thank you for staying safe and calm.
 
Peter G. Barber
Town Supervisor