Full Notification

In a press release today, Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy reported that there were 36 new positive cases overnight in the County, which raised the County’s COVID-19 cumulative pandemic total to 63,053 positive cases.  The County’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases increased from 39.8 to 48.4 cases.  The number of County residents in the hospital due to COVID-19 symptoms decreased by two to now 13 patients, with one patient in the ICU.  The County’s pandemic death toll remained at 538.  County DOH reported that two recent deaths were a woman in her 70’s and a woman in her 80’s.
 
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 76,157 tests Statewide were 2,400 or 3.2% positive, with the seven-day average remaining at 2.4%.  The Capital Region had 2,049 tests of which 93 or 4.5% were positive, with the seven-day average remaining at 3.4%.  The County had 538 tests of which 26 or 4.8% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 3.6%.  
 
Governor Hochul announced today that the State’s positive rate for tests was 2.87%.    Other COVID-19 data included hospitalizations (845, +24), new admissions (102), ICU patients (127, 0), intubations (59, +3), and deaths (9).  

The FDA today authorized an amendment to its emergency use authorization which would allow for second booster shots of either the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine for persons 50 years of age or older.  It also authorized a second booster dose for persons with solid organ transplantation or who are living with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromised. The FDA said that the second shot can be administered at least four months after a first booster.  FDA’s Director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research stated: 

Current evidence suggests some waning of protection over time against serious outcomes from COVID-19 in older and immunocompromised individuals.  Based on an analysis of emerging data, a second booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine could help increase protection levels for these higher-risk individuals.
 
The CDC is expected to review the FDA’s action this week.  And unlike with the initial booster, the CDC is expected to formally authorize the second booster option to eligible persons but not expressly recommend it. 
 
The CDC has launched a new COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation calculator that purportedly simplifies and explains when and for how long people who have tested positive for COVID-19 and their close contacts should stay home, get tested, and wear a facemask.  The calculator provides information about precautions to prevent COVID infections.
 
The Spring Fall Hazardous Waste Disposal Day and Confidential Document Shredding Event will be held on Saturday, April 16 from 8am to 2pm at the Highway Department’s garage. Please check the Transfer Station website for details, including what is and what isn’t accepted for disposal.   Based on the popularity of this event, I’d recommend a late morning or early afternoon arrival for a quick and efficient drop-off.  The Town’s cost for disposing of hazardous waste is based on its weight and volume.  You can help keep costs down by not disposing of latex paint because it is not considered hazardous by DEC and can be disposed of in your trash at home. 
 
This date is determined by the DEC’s certified contractor which is the sole entity that can dispose of hazardous materials.  The Town is mindful that this day falls during Passover and the Easter weekend, and will offer special arrangements to dispose of this material prior to the event.  Please call the Transfer Station at (518) 861-6676 to arrange a drop-off. 

Thank you for staying safe and calm.

Peter G. Barber
Town Supervisor