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In a press release, Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy reported today that there were 81 new positive cases yesterday and that the County’s COVID-19 pandemic total is now at 61,530 positive cases.  The County’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases decreased from 87 to 76 cases.  

County DOH reported that there were six COVID-19 hospitalizations overnight and that the number of hospitalized County residents increased by two to now 52 patients. There are now seven patients in the ICU, a decrease of one.  The County’s pandemic death toll remained at 526.  

State DOH reported that the County’s rate for one vaccine dose is 80.9% 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 88.4% for the total population and 95.0% of adults, and the State’s rate for full-vaccination is 75.1% for the total population.  

The State’s COVID-19 website reported that yesterday’s results for 168,667 tests Statewide were 3,687 or 2.2% positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 2.5%.  The Capital Region had 8,005 tests of which 290 or 3.6% were positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 4.4%.  The County had 1,657 tests of which 62 or 3.7% were positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 4.2%. 

Governor Hochul announced today that the State’s positive rate for tests was 2.19%.  Other COVID-19 data included new hospitalizations (3,065, -200), new admissions (344), ICU patients (497, -33), intubations (290, -14), and deaths (46).  

The CDC’s metric for whether facemasks should be worn indoors continues to show that Albany County has a “high rate” of infection with a seven-day average of 184.28 positive cases per 100,000 residents.  The nation’s infection rate (256.5) and the State’s rate (134.3) are still at “high” infection rates.  Maine (1,674.3) again has the highest infection rate.  New York again has the third lowest infection rate after Nebraska (108.9) and Maryland (92.5).  
 
The Albany Pine Bush Preserve has several upcoming science-based seminars that you might find of interest.  Among the many offerings is Cunning Coyotes Walk, on Thursday, February 24 at 11am, when you will walk about a mile while looking for signs of coyotes, one of the most elusive animals in the Preserve.  On Thursday, March 10 from 7pm to 8:30pm, there is an online presentation of Uninvited: The Spread of Invasive Species, an informative 55-minute documentary film about invasive species and how they threaten the State’s environment and economy.  The film will be introduced by Dr. Jennifer Dean, Invasive Species Biologist with the New York Natural Heritage Program who will answer questions after the documentary.  More information about the Preserve’s upcoming walks, seminars, and activities, including required reservations, are available online or by calling (518) 456-0655. 

It is a rare February day with temperatures in the upper 50’s, with very heavy rain coming, possible flooding of streams, and strong winds.  After that, winter returns but unfortunately not in time to preserve enough snow covering for snowshoeing.  It is still only mid-February and there should be time left for replenishing the missing snow. 
 
Thank you for staying safe and calm.

Peter G. Barber
Town Supervisor