Full Notification

Albany County COVID-19 dashboard shows that the County had 20 new positive cases since yesterday, which raised the County’s COVID-19 cumulative pandemic total to 62,698 positive cases.  The County’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases decreased from 32.9 to 28.8 cases.  The number of County residents in the hospital due to COVID-19 symptoms increased by two to now 13 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 74.1% 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 56.0% of the eligible population.  I’m not sure why the State’s percentage of the eligible population who received boosters actually declined today by 0.1% but my guess is that, at least for one day, the number of people who turned 18 years or otherwise became eligible yesterday exceeded the number of people who passed away or otherwise became ineligible.    
 
The State’s COVID-19 website reported that yesterday’s results for 55,561 tests Statewide were 1,099 or 2.0% positive, with the seven-day average remaining at 1.9%.  The Capital Region had 1,838 tests of which 50 or 2.7% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 2.7%.  The County had 615 tests of which 16 or 2.6% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 2.6%.

Governor Hochul announced today that the State’s positive rate for tests was 1.92%.    Other COVID-19 data included hospitalizations (901, +1), new admissions (113), ICU patients (159, 0), intubations (71, -6), and deaths (6). 

At a press conference today at Wadsworth Lab, Governor Hochul was joined by State DOH Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett and Wadsworth Lab’s Director of Virology Dr. Kirsten St. George about the emerging sub variant (BA.2) of the Omicron variant in the State.  The Governor commented that: “We never had a high-five moment and said it's over.”  The sub variant now accounts for 42% of positive cases.  The Governor stated that she was not alarmed but that State DOH was seeing shifts and new trends in positive cases.  For contrast, she noted that the seven-day average of new cases had reached a high of 90,132 on January 7, and was today at 1,099, and that the State’s seven-day positivity rate was 23.2% on January 2, and was today at 2.0%.  The Governor also noted the FDA and CDC’s ongoing review of a second booster, and said that the State’s vaccination and testing sites would remain open. 
 
Dr. Bassett stated that she did not expect a steep surge in new cases and was not worried, at this time, about the sub variant’s impact on access to the healthcare system.  Dr. Bassett emphasized that while the sub variant appear more transmissible than its parent Omicron, it was not causing more serious symptoms and was not evading the vaccines. She recognized the right of persons to wear facemasks, and added that they would remain required on public transportation and in congregate care facilities.    

The Governor also announced the signing of legislation today that allows the State Liquor Authority to accept applications for new permits by craft beverage businesses to manufacture and sell alcoholic beverages while their liquor license is pending. These new permits are usually approved in less than a month, compared to applications for new licenses that can take six months. 

At its March 15 meeting, the Town Board accepted the proposed dedication of a small parcel that will be part of CDTA’s construction of a new roundabout to replace the existing traffic light at the end of the ramp for the Northway entrance to Crossgates.  This project is scheduled to start in the coming weeks.  This improvement is a key part of CDTA’s new Purple Line which will reduce both passenger wait times and travel times, and link popular destinations including Crossgates, UAlbany, Harriman State Office Campus, and downtown Albany.  The new roundabout will also address a documented safety concern of serious accidents on the ramp, and help reduce congestion and greenhouse emissions.  I will share any updates on timing of construction, scheduled closures, and any recommended detours.     

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