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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 at 61,041 positive cases.  The County’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases decreased by 3/5^th of case to 183.1 cases. 
 
The County reported that there were seven COVID-19 hospitalizations overnight and that the number of hospitalized County residents is now 67 patients, an increase of two.  There are still 12 patients in the ICU.  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 89.3% 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 88.1% for the total population and 95.0% of adults, and the State’s rate for full-vaccination is 74.7% for the total population. 
 
The State’s COVID-19 website reported that yesterday’s results for 205,667 tests Statewide were 7,442 or 3.6% positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 3.9%.  The Capital Region had 8,197 tests of which 497 or 6.1% were positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 7.6%.  The County had 2,006 tests of which 143 or 8.6% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 8.5%.

Governor Hochul announced today that the State’s positive rate for tests was 3.62%.  Other COVID-19 data included new hospitalizations (4,398, -272), new admissions (494), ICU patients (712, -43), intubations (404, -14), and deaths (72).  The Governor also noted that hospitalizations were the lowest since December 20 and down 65% from a peak of 12,671 on January 11. 

New York City is reportedly ready to fire up to 3,000 municipal employees or about 1% of its workforce on Friday for failing to be vaccinated.  The City is also now requiring children between 5 and 12 years of age to have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, and everyone 12 years or older to be fully vaccinated, to enter most indoor facilities including dining, fitness, entertainment venues, and meeting places. 

The Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy has assembles a very interesting two-part series, with videos, on how to identify the winter tracks of wildlife that may visit your backyard this time of year, or you might run across while snowshoeing or hiking.  The snow cover provides a perfect opportunity to closely examine and hopefully identify the wildlife tracks.  DEC and State Parks also have resources about animal tracking.  If you are looking a winter hike in Town, please check out the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy’s Bozen Kill Preserve, a 214 acre preserve, with trails that traverse along the Bozen Kill ravine.  The Preserve trailhead is located on Westfall Road outside the Village of Altamont.  You can also find more information about other trails in Town that are maintained by the Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission, Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy, DEC, and the Town at Hike Guilderland!
 
Thank you for staying safe and calm.
 
Peter G. Barber
Town Supervisor