Full Notification

Albany County’s COVID-19 dashboard reported that there 92 new positive cases overnight in the County, which raised the County’s COVID-19 cumulative pandemic total to 64,108 positive cases.  The County’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases increased from 84.4 to 88.2 cases.  The number of County residents in the hospital due to COVID-19 symptoms increased by three to now 24 patients, with three patients remaining in the ICU.  The County’s pandemic death toll remained at 541. 
 
State DOH reported that the County’s rate for one vaccine dose as of yesterday was 81.6% of the County’s total population and 89.8% of the adult population, and the County’s rate for full-vaccination was 74.4% of the total population, and for boosters was 67.5% of the eligible population.  The State’s rate for one dose was 89.8% for the total population and 95.0% of adults, and the State’s rate for full-vaccination was 76.5% for the total population, and for boosters was 57.8% of the eligible population.  
 
The State’s COVID-19 website reported that yesterday’s results for 123,079 tests Statewide were 6,546 or 5.3% positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 4.4%.  The Capital Region had 3,093 tests of which 250 or 8.2% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 6.0%.  The County had 862 tests of which 60 or 7.1% were positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 7.3%.
 
The State’s COVID-19 data included yesterday’s positive rate for tests (5.32%), hospitalizations (1,164, +36), new COVID-19 hospital admissions (250), ICU patients (144, +6), intubations (60, -3), and deaths (10).
 
In a statement today, the CDC and TSA announced that they were extending the 14-month mandate for wearing facemask on planes, trains, in airports, and other mass transportation by 15 days from April 18 to Tuesday, May 3.  The CDC stated:
 
CDC continues to monitor the spread of the Omicron variant, especially the BA.2 subvariant that now makes up more than 85% of U.S. cases.  Since early April, there have been increases in the 7-day moving average of cases in the U.S.  The CDC Mask Order remains in effect while CDC assesses the potential impact of the rise of cases on severe disease, including hospitalizations and deaths, and healthcare system capacity.
 
The local COVID-19 infection rates and hospitalizations are now at numbers not seen in months.  Today’s seven-day average of new cases (88.2) has not been this high since February 16, and today’s number of hospitalized residents (24) is a step climb from a low of 10 hospitalizations just one month ago on March 15.  With the infection levels increasing in our area, the wearing of a facemask is strongly recommended and encouraged in indoor Town-operated public places. 
 
Please remember that Town Hall is closing early at 12:30pm on Friday.  The Transfer Station will be closing early at 11:30am on Saturday.
 
Thank you for staying safe and calm.
                           
Peter G. Barber
Town Supervisor