Full Notification

In a press release today, Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy reported that there were 84 new positive cases overnight in the County, which raised the County’s COVID-19 cumulative pandemic total to 64,825 positive cases.  The County’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases increased from 105.1 to 119.1 cases.  The number of County residents in the hospital due to COVID-19 symptoms increased by one now to 30 patients, with three patients in the ICU.  The County’s pandemic death toll remained at 543.  The County Executive reported a man in his 70’s and a woman in her 70’s passed since his update on Friday.  The County Executive added:
 
It saddens me to have to report two more residents who lost their lives to COVID complications. As we continue to see more deaths and rising infection rates here and across the state, we’re reminded that COVID is not done with us yet. I continue to strongly encourage everyone to get vaccinated if they haven’t already, and to get their booster shots if they have. Albany County is making it as easy as possible to get the vaccine, with daily walk-ins available at our Health Department and delivery for those who need it.
 
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 89.9% of the adult population, and the County’s rate for full-vaccination was 74.4% of the total population, and for boosters was 68.7% 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 76.6% for the total population, and for boosters was 58.5% of the eligible population. 
 
The State’s COVID-19 website reported that yesterday’s results for 70,118 tests Statewide were 4,646 or 6.2% positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 5.3%.  The Capital Region had 1,803 tests of which 216 or 12.2% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 8.6%.  The County had 483 tests of which 63 or 12.4% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 9.6%. 

In her press release today, the Governor reported the State’s positive rate for tests yesterday was 7.30%.  Because State DOH’s data was paused for three days, the other COVID data covered the three day period including hospitalizations (1,357), new COVID-19 hospital admissions (790), ICU patients (170), intubations (64), and deaths (48).  

The CDC has revamped its COVID-19 travel advisory system for international travelers.  The highest-risk category, Level 4, is now reserved for “Special Circumstances/Do Not Travel.”  The CDC stated that Level 4 is reserved for countries with “rapidly escalating case trajectory or extremely high case counts, emergence of a new variant of concern, or healthcare infrastructure collapse.”  No country is currently in Level 4.  The Level 3 category (“High”) includes nearly 120 destinations including most of Europe.  Level 2 (“Moderate”) has 12 destinations and Level 1 (“Low) has 55 countries. 

After yesterday’s ruling that voided the CDC’s mandate for facemasks on planes, the Biden Administration stated that “it is up to them” on whether travelers should wear masks on planes.  Several cities, including New York City, have kept the facemask mandate in place for subways and busses. 

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