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In a press release, Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy reported today that there were 62 new positive cases yesterday and that the County’s COVID-19 pandemic total is now at 61,315 positive cases.  The County’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases decreased from 105.1 to 103.4 cases. 
 
County DOH reported that there were four COVID-19 hospitalizations overnight and that the number of hospitalized County residents remained at 55 patients. There are now seven patients in the ICU, a decrease of seven.  The County’s pandemic death total remained at 525.   The County Executive added:
 
Today’s COVID data is a positive sign and gives me hope for the future.  Not only are there no new COVID deaths, we’re also seeing average daily case numbers and percent positive rates continue to drop, while the number of county residents in ICUs with the virus was cut in half since yesterday to a low of seven. Additionally, the last time overall COVID hospitalizations were this low was back on December 26.
 
It’s important to remember that on January 10, Albany County’s 7-day average percent positivity peaked at an estimated one in five people testing positive, and now we’re down to just over 5%.  As we continue to see COVID infections decline, we should also see fewer and fewer people being hospitalized with the virus.  I want to thank everyone for doing their part and helping us get to this point, including those who continue to get vaccinated and get their booster shots.
 
State DOH reported that the County’s rate for one vaccine dose is 80.8% of the County’s total population and 89.4% of the adult population, and the County’s rate for full-vaccination is 73.4% for the total population.  The State’s rate for one dose is 88.3% for the total population and 95.0% of adults, and the State’s rate for full-vaccination is 74.9% for the total population. 
 
The State’s COVID-19 website reported that yesterday’s results for 79,207 tests Statewide were 2,348 or 3.0% positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 3.1%.  The Capital Region had 3,588 tests of which 186 or 5.2% were positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 5.3%.  The County had 870 tests of which 42 or 4.8% were positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 5.1%.

Governor Hochul announced today that the State’s positive rate for tests was 2.96%.  Other COVID-19 data included new hospitalizations (3,524, -64), new admissions (290), ICU patients (585, -23), intubations (329, -23), and deaths (48).  Today’s number of positive cases was the lowest since October 25, and the number of hospitalizations was the lowest since December 6.

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 193.45 positive cases per 100,000 residents.  The nation’s infection rate (339.9) and the State’s rate (173.1) are still at “high” infection rates.  Alaska (969.9) remains at the highest infection rate. New York now has the third lowest infection rate after New Jersey (159.8) and Maryland (95.1).  Maryland is the only state with a “substantial” rate of infection, while the remaining 49 states are at “high” rates. 
 
This upcoming weekend (February 19 and 20) is the State's first Free Fishing Weekend of 2022, when freshwater anglers are permitted to fish for free without a license.  If you are new to ice fishing, you are encouraged to download the Ice Fishing Chapter of DEC's I FISH NY Beginners' Guide to Freshwater Fishing.   A series of "how to" videos about beginning ice anglers are also available.  You can get more information about where ice fishing is permitted and determining the safety of ice is on DEC’s ice fishing webpage.
 
For the foreseeable future, the Town will follow CDC’s guidance which calls for the wearing of facemasks indoors in Town facilities, regardless of vaccination status, as long as Albany County’s infection rate, as determined by CDC, is either “substantial” or “high.”   While the County’s infection rate has dramatically improved over the past month from over 1,600 positive cases, the CDC reports today that the County has 193.45 cases per 100,000 residents on a seven-day average.  It could take a week or more to fall below the CDC’s facemask threshold of 50 cases in our area. 
 
I hope that you are having an enjoyable Valentine’s Day.
 
Thank you for staying safe and calm.
 
Peter G. Barber
Town Supervisor