Full Notification

The Albany County COVID-19 dashboard reported that there were 52 new positive cases overnight in the County, which raised the County’s COVID-19 cumulative pandemic total to 63,505 positive cases.  The County’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases decreased from 58.1 to 56.8 cases.  The number of County residents in the hospital due to COVID-19 symptoms decreased by two to 11 patients, with one patient remaining in the ICU.  The County reported two COVID-19 deaths overnight, which raised the County’s pandemic death toll to 540. 
 
State DOH reported that the County’s rate for one vaccine dose as of yesterday was 81.5% of the County’s total population and 89.8% of the adult population, and the County’s rate for full-vaccination was 74.3% of the total population, and for boosters was 65.3% of the eligible population.  The State’s rate for one dose was 89.7% for the total population and 95.0% of adults, and the State’s rate for full-vaccination was 76.3% for the total population, and for boosters was 56.4% of the eligible population.  
 
The State’s COVID-19 website reported that yesterday’s results for 119,484 tests Statewide were 4,358 or 3.7% positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 3.3%.  The Capital Region had 2,692 tests of which 200 or 8.1% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 4.2%.  The County had 690 tests of which 57 or 8.6% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 5.0%.  
 
In her update today, Governor Hochul reported the State’s COVID-19 data, including yesterday’s positive rate for tests (3.67%), hospitalizations (904, +19), new COVID-19 hospital admissions (171), ICU patients (120, +6), intubations (52, +6), and deaths (5).

With summer travel season approaching, the US and Canada have made Canada a better vacation option.  On the Canadian side, Canada ended its COVID testing requirement but only for fully vaccinated visitors.  However, all travelers still have to complete the ArriveCAN arrival form. On the US side, the CDC is no longer warning against travel to Canada because of the COVID-19.  At that level, travelers are asked to keep up to date with vaccinations before visiting.  In updated travel health notices, the CDC moved Canada from “very high” to “high.”  Nearly 100 destinations are at “high” level, including, in Europe, France, Italy, Greece, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

As you may have noticed, the vacant Nedco Pharmacy building is being demolished and removed this week as part of DOT’s construction of the new roundabout at Carman Road and Lydius Street.  The empty lot will be staging area for construction, which likely will not start at this roundabout until late July.  DOT will also place electronic message signs that, starting on Friday, will reduce the speed in the construction zone to 30mph.  Over the next few weeks, several utility companies will relocate infrastructure for the construction of this roundabout, which is likely to start by the end of July.  Before then, construction of the new roundabout at Carman Road and I-890 will start around April 18.  DOT has provided a map and description of detour routes for this second roundabout.   Please note that the proposed work and schedule is dependent on future good weather, and hopefully not the heavy rain forecasted for tomorrow.    
 
Thank you for staying safe and calm.
                                 
Peter G. Barber
Town Supervisor