Full Notification

Based on Albany County DOH’s COVID-19 dashboard, there were 34 new positive cases overnight, and the County’s COVID-19 cumulative pandemic total has reached 62,567 positive cases.  The County’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases decreased from 34.4 to 32.8 cases.  County DOH noted that the number of County residents in the hospital due to COVID-19 symptoms increased by one to 12 patients.  The County reported no deaths overnight, and the County’s pandemic death toll remained at 536. 
 
State DOH reported that the County’s rate for one vaccine dose as of yesterday was 81.3% of the County’s total population and 89.7% of the adult population, and the County’s rate for full-vaccination was 74.0% of the total population, and for boosters was 64.1% of the eligible population.  The State’s rate for one dose was 89.3% for the total population and 95.0% of adults, and the State’s rate for full-vaccination was 75.9% for the total population, and for boosters was 56.1% of the eligible population.  No changes again in any of these percentages. 
 
The State’s COVID-19 website reported that yesterday’s results for 135,434 tests Statewide were 2,232 or 1.7% positive, with the seven-day average remaining at 1.7%.  The Capital Region had 5,870 tests of which 130 or 2.2% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 2.4%.  The County had 1,435 tests of which 25 or 2.2% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 2.4%.
 
Governor Hochul announced today that the State’s positive rate for tests was 1.56%.    Other COVID-19 data included hospitalizations (1,009, -25), new admissions (135), ICU patients (153, -5), intubations (86, -6), and deaths (13).  The Governor also announced that the State would stockpile 20 million at-home test kits to nursing homes, adult care facilities, schools, and local governments over the next few months, including one million tests to schools outside of New York City every other week until the end of the school year. 
 
The CDC is monitoring with caution, but not alarm, the new Omicron sub variant (labelled BA.2) that is spreading rapidly in Europe.  The sub variant (BA.2) is reportedly more contagious than the parent Omicron variant (BA.1) but, so far, the increased infection rates has not led to an increase in hospitalizations.  Europe is now recording 95 cases per 100,000 people in contrast to North America’s current rate of 10 cases per 100,000 people.  The CDC’s note of caution is based on the pandemic’s history of what happens in Europe usually reaches North America a few weeks later.  The CDC reports that the parent Omicron variant (BA.1) remains predominant over the Omicron sub variant (BA.2) in the United States. 
 
Visiting Canada will be much easier starting on April 1, when fully vaccinated travelers will no longer be required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test to enter Canada by land or sea.  Travelers to Canada must still use ArriveCan app, including proof of vaccination and other transit information.  Travelers returning to the United States by land or sea are not required to show a negative COVID-19 test or show their vaccination status before entering the nation.
 
Today is the third St. Patrick’s Day celebrated during the pandemic.  Two years ago, St. Patrick’s Day was in the pandemic’s first week, with Town buildings just closed to the public, and all board meetings and programs cancelled.  The Governor and County Executive were then considering “mass closings and tighter restrictions to stop the spread of this virus and keep people safe.”  One year ago, the second pandemic St. Patrick’s Day was far better, with improved local infection rates and low ambulance transports of positive cases, and Town buildings reopened to the public but on a limited basis and all board meetings held by Zoom.  This year’s St. Patrick’s Day is even better, with Town facilities now fully reopened (except the Town courts), and public boards and committees having resumed in-person meetings.
 
I hope that you have a joyful St. Patrick’s Day. 
 
Thank you for staying safe and calm.
 
Peter G. Barber
Town Supervisor