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In a press release, Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy reported today that there were 26 new positive cases yesterday and that the County’s COVID-19 pandemic total is now at 62,019 positive cases.  The County’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases decreased by four cases to 40.5 cases.
 
County DOH reported that there were no COVID-19 hospitalizations overnight and that the number of hospitalized County residents decreased by four to now 24 patients.  There are three patients in the ICU, an increase of one.  The County’s pandemic death toll remained at 528.  The County Executive added:
 
Albany County continues to make progress in our fight against COVID-19.  The last time our current hospitalizations were this low was back on August 26, and with our average percent positive rate dropping down to 2.7%, it’s the lowest it’s been since July.  As we continue to move forward here and across New York, I continue to encourage people to get vaccinated if they haven’t yet, and to get the booster shot if they have.  The vaccine has helped us get to where we are now.
 
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 73.7% for the total population.  The State’s rate for one dose was 88.9% for the total population and 95.0% of adults, and the State’s rate for full-vaccination was 75.5% for the total population.
 
The State’s COVID-19 website reported that yesterday’s results for 69,552 tests Statewide were 1,144 or 1.6% positive, with the seven-day average remaining at 1.9%.  The Capital Region had 1,607 tests of which 71 or 4.4% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 3.4%.  The County had 414 tests of which 18 or 4.3% were positive, with the seven-day average remaining at 2.7%.

Governor Hochul announced today that the State’s positive rate for tests was 1.65%.  Other COVID-19 data included new hospitalizations (1,874, -37), new admissions (156), ICU patients (336, -6), intubations (187, -4), and deaths (19). 

The CDC’s new guidance. which only recommends wearing facemasks indoors in counties with a “high” level of risk, continues to find that Albany County has a “medium” rate where facemasks are not recommended except for persons at risk for serious illness.

A study released today that was based on data gathered in New York State found that Pfizer’s vaccine was far less effective in preventing a COVID-related infection in children aged 5 to 11 years than in older children or adults.  The study showed that the vaccine prevent serious illness but provided nearly no protection against infection during the Omicron variant surge.   The drop in performance might be the result of the smaller one-third of the dose given to older children and adults.  The Pfizer vaccine remains as the only COVID-19 vaccine authorized for children in that age group.
 
The Red Cross continues to face a severe blood crisis with the nation’s blood supply at its lowest level in ten years.  You can help by participating in a Red Cross blood drive at Town Hall on Friday, March 18 from Noon to 6pm.  You can make an appointment by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or online at RedCrossBlood.org by using the sponsor code: guilderlandtown.  If that time is not convenient, there is also a blood drive earlier that week at the Guilderland Library on Tuesday, March 15 from 1pm to 6pm.  You can streamline your donation for either drive by visiting this link to complete your pre-donation reading and health history questions on the day of your appointment.  As I have noted before with these dual blood drives, that Red Cross staff are not vampires, and you can’t sign up for both, and can’t donate within eight weeks of a whole blood donation.  I thank you for your enthusiastic support for helping the most needy in our community.
 
Thank you for staying safe and calm.
 
Peter G. Barber
Town Supervisor