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In a press release, Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy reported today that there were 83 new positive cases yesterday and that the County’s COVID-19 pandemic total is now at 61,205 positive cases.  The County’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases decreased from 162.8 to 152.1 cases. 
 
County DOH reported that there was one COVID-19 hospitalization overnight and that the number of hospitalized County residents is now 57 patients, a decrease of seven.  There are still 13 patients in the ICU.  The County’s pandemic death total remained at 524. 
 
State DOH reported that the County’s rate for one vaccine dose is 80.8% of the County’s total population and 89.3% of the adult population, and the County’s rate for full-vaccination is 73.3% for the total population.  The State’s rate for one dose is 88.2% for the total population and 95.0% of adults, and the State’s rate for full-vaccination is 74.8% for the total population. 
 
The State’s COVID-19 website reported that yesterday’s results for 169,476 tests Statewide were 4,232 or 2.5% positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 3.4%.  The Capital Region had 6,459 tests of which 281 or 4.1% were positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 6.6%.  The County had 1,755 tests of which 70 or 4.0% were positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 7.8%.

Governor Hochul announced today that the State’s positive rate for tests was 2.50%.  Other COVID-19 data included new hospitalizations (3,883, -266), new admissions (432), ICU patients (635, -33), intubations (369, -32), and deaths (60).  Today’s number of COVID hospitalizations was the lowest since December 19, and have fallen by 69% from a peak of 12,671 on January 11.

The Governor also announced that daily ridership on the New York City subway system is showing improvement and is another step toward a return to normalcy.  Prior to the pandemic, ridership was often over 5.5 million on weekdays and plunged by 95% to about 300,000 daily trips in April 2020.  Over the past three weekdays, ridership has exceeded 3 million riders for the first time since the arrival of the Omicron variant in December. 
 
The CDC’s infection report continues to show, as it has since mid-December, that Albany County has a “high rate” of COVID-19 transmission with a seven-day average of 331.91 positive cases per 100,000 residents.  The nation’s infection rate (401.5) and the State’s rate (210.8) remain at “high” infection rates.  Alaska (1,230.6) continues with the highest infection rate.  New York now has the sixth lowest infection rate after Ohio (208), Connecticut (191.4), Oklahoma (190.8), New Jersey (184.3) and Maryland (127.6).  

All 50 states continue to well-exceed CDC’s threshold of 50 positive cases per 100,000 residents, on a seven-day average, for the wearing of facemasks indoors.  The CDC also reports that nearly all (98.42%) of the nation’s counties have “high” rates of infections.
 
A reminder that the Guilderland Public Library offers seminars and programs for all ages, including, for example, on Valentine’s Day, a special program, Attracting Birds to Your Backyard!, where you will learn about basics, including shelter and feeder options.  Here’s a link to the February newsletter with details and sign-up information. 
 
Today’s warmish weather helped in removing most of the remaining ice accumulations from walkways.   It was also very nice to see neighbors outside enjoying a mid-winter break from cold brisk weather.     
 
Thank you for staying safe and calm.
 
Peter G. Barber
Town Supervisor