Full Notification

The Albany County COVID-19 dashboard reported that there were 93 new positive cases overnight in the County, which raised the County’s COVID-19 cumulative pandemic total to 63,697 positive cases.  The County’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases increased from 64.4 to 64.8 cases.  The number of County residents in the hospital due to COVID-19 symptoms decreased by two to now 15 patients, with three patients in the ICU.  The County reported a COVID-19 death overnight which raised its pandemic death toll to 541.  The County Executive added:

 

It saddens me to have to report the latest COVID deaths, and my thoughts and prayers are with the families who are grieving.  These individuals are unfortunate reminders that while we continue to move forward, the pandemic is not done with us yet, and we need to stay vigilant.  The vaccine continues to be the best protection from the virus, especially for those who have underlying health conditions and weakened immune systems.  Additionally, we are now offering the second booster shot for those who are eligible.

 

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 65.9% 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 143,656 tests Statewide were 5,904 or 4.1% positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 3.6%.  The Capital Region had 5,621 tests of which 262 or 4.4% were positive, with the seven-day average remaining at 4.5%.  The County had 1,153 tests of which 68 or 6.4% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 5.6%.   

 

In her update today, Governor Hochul reported the State’s COVID-19 data, including yesterday’s positive rate for tests (4.06%), hospitalizations (994, +46), new COVID-19 hospital admissions (197), ICU patients (128, +1), intubations (61, +5), and deaths (5). 

 

The CDC reported that as of April 6, more than 22.8 million children and adolescents ages 5 to 17 years are fully vaccinated and about 23.7% of fully vaccinated adolescents ages 12 to 17 years have also received a booster dose.  The CDC noted that vaccination rates remain low among children ages 5 to 11 years, leaving them more vulnerable to serious disease.  While children have a lower risk for severe COVID-19 compared to adults, the CDC warns that they can still get it, spread the virus to others, and become seriously ill—and there is no way to tell in advance which child will get a mild or severe case. 

 

The CDC also reported that Albany County’s level of community infection remains “low.”  Of the nation’s counties, 3,080 (95.65%) counties have “low” rates; 122 (3.79%) counties have “medium” rates; and 18 (0.56%) counties have “high” rates.  Over the past week, there was a very slight (0.16%) increase in the number of high-level counties, a small (−0.75%) decrease in the number of medium-level counties, and a small (+0.59%) increase in the number of low-level counties.

 

After more than two inches of rainfall over the past 24 hours, local waterways, including the Normanskill, quickly swelled.  Parks Director CJ Gallup took several photographs early this morning at popular locations including views of the Watervliet Reservoir from the bicycle-pedestrian bridge at French’s Hollow, the trailhead for Vosburgh Trails at French’s Mill Road, and further downstream at the pedestrian bridge in Tawasentha Park.  Please refrain from using Town trails during the mud season to avoid damage and erosion.  The conditions should rapidly improve by next weekend, with forecasted daytime highs in the 70s and, hopefully, mostly dry weather.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope that you have an enjoyable and relaxing weekend.

 

Thank you for staying safe and calm.

 

Peter G. Barber
Town Supervisor