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In a press release, Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy reported today that there were 37 new positive cases yesterday and that the County’s COVID-19 pandemic total is now at 61,785 positive cases.  The County’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases decreased from 66.4 to 62.5 cases. 
 
County DOH reported that there were three COVID-19 hospitalizations overnight and that the number of hospitalized County residents decreased by three to now 30 patients.  There are now four patients in the ICU, an increase of one.  The County’s pandemic death toll remained at 527.  The County Executive added:
 
I’m happy to report that there were no new COVID deaths overnight, and we now have the lowest number of Albany County residents in the hospital with the virus since November 20.  We also have the lowest average percent positive rate since the beginning of November.  As our death, hospitalization and infection rates continue to decline, there is plenty of room for optimism, and I want to thank everyone who helped us get to this point.
 
And while our community makes tremendous progress in our fight against the pandemic, I encourage our residents to continue to take precautions, especially those who don’t have the protections from the vaccine and booster shots, and those with compromised immune systems.  Additionally, those who are feeling sick should stay home and take COVID tests to ensure they aren’t spreading the virus to coworkers and loved ones.
 
State DOH reported that the County’s rate for one vaccine dose as of yesterday was 81.0% of the County’s total population and 89.5% of the adult population, and the County’s rate for full-vaccination was 73.6% for the total population.  The State’s rate for one dose was 88.6% for the total population and 95.0% of adults, and the State’s rate for full-vaccination was 75.2% for the total population. 
 
The State’s COVID-19 website reported that yesterday’s results for 75,109 tests Statewide were 1,619 or 2.2% positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 2.1%.  The Capital Region had 3,004 tests of which 145 or 4.8% were positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 3.7%.  The County had 713 tests of which 28 or 3.9% were positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 3.4%.  

Governor Hochul announced today that the State’s positive rate for tests was 2.22%.  Other COVID-19 data included new hospitalizations (2,461, -61), new admissions (213), ICU patients (426, -14), intubations (239, 0), and deaths (32).  The Governor added:

While students are off for midwinter break, I encourage parents and guardians to take advantage of this time to consult with their pediatricians and make a plan to get their kids vaccinated and boosted.  More than 1.6 million children in New York State have already received the vaccine.  The vaccine is doctor-approved and our best tool to stop the spread of COVID-19, so there's no reason to delay any further.

The Governor today also signed legislation creating a new Conditional Adult-use Cannabis Cultivator license which allows hemp farmers to apply for a license to grow cannabis for the adult-use cannabis market. The law requires safe, sustainable and environmentally friendly cultivation practices, participation in a social equity mentorship program, and engagement in a labor peace agreement with a bona fide labor organization.   

Under the CDC’s current data for determining whether facemasks should be worn indoors, Albany County remains at a “high” infection rate with a seven-day average of 124.71 positive cases per 100,000 residents.  The nation’s infection rate (165.1) and the State’s rate (109.2) are still at “high” infection rates.  Maine (1,595.1) again has the highest infection rate.  New York now has the seventh lowest infection rate after Missouri (108.8), Ohio (102.9), Illinois (94.2), Maryland (86.6), Nevada (70.1), and Nebraska (61.2).

The Guilderland Historical Society’s online presentation about State historic roadside markers in Town has been rescheduled for this Thursday, February 24 at 7:30pm.  Here is the new link for the Zoom presentation.  John Haluska, the restorer of many markers in Town, will discuss the nearly century old State roadside marker program, the sources of information inscribed on the markers, the restoration and repainting of markers in Town, and potential new marker locations and topics. The winter storm forecasted to start that evening is good reason to settle in safely at home for a very interesting online interactive discussion.  Please check out the Historical Society’s online schedule of upcoming virtual programs, including on March 17 on preserving family photos and documents, and on April 21 about residents’ successful effort to designate the Country Club Highlands subdivision in McKownville as a State Historic District.   

Today’s date is a numerically rare day.   It is palindrome (2.22.22), meaning that it is the same read forwards or backwards, and it’s rare five digit sequence of the same number.  Neither will occur this century here but that’s not the case in Europe and other countries where the day comes before the month and February 3, 2030 is another palindrome (03.02.2030).   To add more trivial comments about the number 2, Tuesday is the second day of the week, and today’s State positivity rate was 2.22% . 

Thank you for staying safe and calm.
 
Peter G. Barber
Town Supervisor