Full Notification

The Albany County COVID-19 dashboard reported that there were 32 new positive cases in the County since yesterday, which raised the County’s COVID-19 cumulative pandemic total to 63,017 positive cases.  The County’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases decreased from 43.0 to 39.8 cases.  The number of County residents in the hospital due to COVID-19 symptoms increased by three to now 15 patients, with three patients in the ICU.  The County’s pandemic death toll remained at 538.
 
State DOH reported that the County’s rate for one vaccine dose as of yesterday was 81.4% of the County’s total population and 89.8% of the adult population, and the County’s rate for full-vaccination was 74.2% of the total population, and for boosters was 64.1% of the eligible population.  The State’s rate for one dose was 89.5% for the total population and 95.0% of adults, and the State’s rate for full-vaccination was 76.1% for the total population, and for boosters was 56.0% of the eligible population.  
 
The State’s COVID-19 website reported that yesterday’s results for 70,156 tests Statewide were 2,010 or 2.9% positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 2.4%.  The Capital Region had 2,782 tests of which 101 or 3.6% were positive, with the seven-day average remaining at 3.4%.  The County had 663 tests of which 28 or 4.2% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 3.5%.  
 
Governor Hochul announced today that the State’s positive rate for tests was 2.87%.    Other COVID-19 data included hospitalizations (821, -2), new admissions (121), ICU patients (127, -8), intubations (56, -1), and deaths (8).  The number of hospitalized residents was the lowest since August 1. 
 
The Governor also announced a public-private agreement among the State, Erie County, and the Buffalo Bills for a $1.4 billion new stadium in Orchard Park.  The agreement includes a 30-year commitment for the Bills to remain in Buffalo.  The State will provide $600 million in this year’s budget, Erie County is committing $250 million, and the remaining $550 million will be paid by the Bills and the NFL.  The Governor stated that economic and tax impacts generated by the new stadium will support more than 100% of the public share of the new stadium.    
 
As we are hopefully exiting the two-year emergency phase, and considering investments to adjust to the presence of COVID-19 and other transmissible viruses, EPA issued a two-page guidance with recommendations for improving ventilation, air filtration, and air disinfection for buildings.  The guidance is based upon the recognition that COVID transmission has happened almost entirely in indoor spaces and was mitigated by better air circulation and following basic health protocols including wearing facemasks indoors and hand washing. 
 
With spring weather hopefully soon arriving, the Parks' and Recreation Department is offering "Bird Walks at the Community Gardens" for adults who are interested in learning about local birds in their native habitats.  The program consists of a guided walk in the Town’s Community Gardens to view birds in various habitats, and will involve the use of Ebird, an innovative application designed by Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology to identify birds and report siting locations.  Community Gardens is located opposite the Winter Recreation Area on State Route 146.  The first session starts on Friday, April 1 from 8am to 9:30am, and at the same time on the next three Fridays on April 8, 15, and 22.  The registration fee for the four-week session is $10.   There will be a second session on May 5, 13, 20, 27, and June 3.  To register or if you have questions, please visit www.guilderlandrec.com or call the Parks' office at (518) 456-3150.
 
Thank you for staying safe and calm.
 
Peter G. Barber
Town Supervisor