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In a press release, Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy reported today that there were 173 new positive cases yesterday and that the County’s COVID-19 pandemic total is now at 60,891 positive cases.  The County’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases decreased from 193.2 to 183.7 cases. 
 
The County reported that there were six COVID-19 hospitalizations overnight and that the number of hospitalized County residents is now 65 patients, an increase of three.  There are now 12 patients in the ICU, an increase of two.  The County’s pandemic death toll remained at 522. 
 
State DOH reported that the County’s rate for one vaccine dose is 80.7% 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 164,612 tests Statewide were 6,041 or 3.7% positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 4.1%.  The Capital Region had 6,447 tests of which 487 or 7.6% were positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 7.9%.  The County had 2,006 tests of which 143 or 8.6% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 7.1%.

Governor Hochul announced today that the State’s positive rate for tests was 3.67%.  Other COVID-19 data included new hospitalizations (4,670, -349), new admissions (495), ICU patients (755, -35), intubations (418, -8), and deaths (67).   

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 366.60 positive cases per 100,000 residents.  The nation’s infection rate (486.2) and the State’s rate (239.1) remain at “high” infection rates.  Alaska (1,479.6) continues with the highest infection rate.  New York now has the third lowest infection rate after New Jersey (211.1) and Maryland (153.6).
 
Governor Hochul announced today that the State’s two-month old mandate which has required indoor venues to require either proof of vaccination or facemasks will end tomorrow and that the requirements will remain optional for businesses, local governments and counties to enforce.  The Governor added that facemasks will still be required in nursing homes, adult care facilities, correctional facilities, detention centers, homeless shelters, and domestic violence shelters, public transit and transportation hubs, as well as trains, planes and airports in accordance with Federal regulations. 

The Governor cited improvements in COVID-19 data, including improved bed capacity at hospitals and a State-wide positivity rate that had fallen from a peak of 23% on January 2 to around 4% today.  The Governor added that the State is entering a new phase in the pandemic, and presented a new Winter Toolkit for addressing COVID. 
 
Governor Hochul also stated that there would a separate review in early March of the facemask mandate for schools, which was set to expire on February 21.  The assessment will be based on cases per 100,000 residents, hospital admission rates, vaccination rates, global trends and pediatric hospitalizations.  The Governor announced plans to distribute two tests for every K-12 student ahead of midwinter break, and continue with distributions in the following week when students return to school.
 
In response to similar steps in other states to ease facemask requirements, the CDC reiterated that the wearing of facemasks in schools and indoor settings in communities with “high” rates of infection is recommended.  As of today, all 50 states have “high” infection rates.  For the near future, facemasks will be required in public indoor spaces in Town-owned or operated facilities.   
 
A few kind readers let me know that I had the wrong day and date in yesterday’s update.  That has happened a few times in my 700+ daily updates, and was again my error, but I’m thankfully only graded on grammar and not typing.    
 
Thank you for staying safe and calm.
 
Peter G. Barber
Town Supervisor