Full Notification

In a press release today, Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy reported that there were 166 new positive cases overnight in the County, which raised the County’s COVID-19 cumulative pandemic total to 64,414 positive cases.  The County’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases increased from 96.4 to 105.1 cases.  The number of County residents in the hospital due to COVID-19 symptoms remained at 29 patients, with three  patients in the ICU.  The County’s pandemic death toll remained at 541.  The County Executive added:
 
The number of new COVID infections identified in the last 24 hours is the highest we’ve reported since February 9 and our daily average has now risen above 100. Additionally, the last time we had this many residents hospitalized with the virus was back on February 25. On a brighter note, I haven’t had to report a new COVID death since April 6.  
 
As we respond to the latest surge, it’s critical that more people get vaccinated and get their booster shots – including those children who are eligible – so that we can continue to prevent as many serious illnesses and deaths as possible. I’m also encouraging those with weakened immune systems and underlying health conditions to take additional precautions for now to ensure their own safety.
 
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 68.1% of the eligible population.  The State’s rate for one dose was 89.9% 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 58.2% of the eligible population.  
 
The State’s COVID-19 website reported that yesterday’s results for 137,654 tests Statewide were 6,737 or 4.7% positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 4.7%.  The Capital Region had 5,828 tests of which 415 or 7.4% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 7.3%.  The County had 1,235 tests of which 128 or 11.0% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 8.6%.

In a press release today, Governor Kathy Hochul reported the State’s positive rate for tests yesterday (4.71%), hospitalizations (1,216, +30), new COVID-19 hospital admissions (253), ICU patients (147, +3), intubations (63, -3), and deaths (9).

The FDA granted emergency use authorization for the first COVID-19 test that uses breathing samples.  The “InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer” is roughly the size of carry-on luggage, takes three minutes per test, and can analyze about 160 samples per day. The FDA cited a study of 2,409 individuals which showed that the new test correctly identified 91.2% of positive samples and 99.3% of negative samples.  The study also showed that, in a population with only a 4.2% positive rate, the test correctly identified 99.6% of the negative tests which indicates that the test result are likely truly negative in areas of low disease prevalence.  The test has the same results with the Omicron variant.

To almost no one’s surprise, the Governor today extended the pandemic State of Emergency for an additional 30 days until May 15.  Executive Order 11.5 continues the suspension and modification of numerous laws and regulations, including the Open Meetings Law to allow virtual meetings by public bodies.  Since early March, the Town has returned to in-person meetings with a new broadcast system.  The Town’s COVID-19 response team is monitoring local infection rates for possible changes in operations.  Please remember that facemasks are strongly encouraged, but not required, in indoor public places in Town facilities.  And as I promised over 25 months ago, I will continue writing daily updates for at least another 30 days.

Thank you for staying safe and calm.
                           
Peter G. Barber
Town Supervisor