Full Notification

Albany County’s COVID-19 dashboard today reported that there were 118 new positive cases overnight in the County, which raised the County’s COVID-19 cumulative pandemic total to 65,758 positive cases.  The County’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases decreased from 142.9 to 139.3 cases.  The number of County residents in the hospital due to COVID-19 symptoms remains a t32 patients, with one patient in the ICU.  The County reported one death since Friday, which increased the County’s pandemic death toll to 548.  The County Executive will likely have details about this death in his Tuesday update.    

In a public health advisory issued today, County DOH stated:

Due to the rising COVID-19 positivity rate, in large part due to new variants, the Albany County Department of Health is issuing an official public health advisory strongly recommending all residents, regardless of vaccination status, to wear masks in indoor public spaces, including private businesses. In addition, we encourage residents to complete their primary COVID-19 vaccine series (if they haven’t already), get boosted when eligible, test when not feeling well or potentially exposed—including after traveling or attending events—and to contact a healthcare provider following testing positive to discuss eligibility for treatments. 

State DOH reported that the County’s rate for one vaccine dose as of yesterday was 81.7% of the County’s total population and 89.9% of the adult population, and the County’s rate for full-vaccination was 74.2% of the total population, and for boosters was 70.0% of the eligible population.  The State’s rate for one dose was 91.0% for the total population and 95.0% of adults, and the State’s rate for full-vaccination was 76.8% for the total population, and for boosters was 55.5% of the eligible population. 

The State’s COVID-19 website reported that yesterday’s results for 70,000 tests Statewide were 4,786 or 6.7% positive, with the seven-day average remaining at 6.9%.  The Capital Region had 2,772 tests of which 374 or 13.5% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 11.8%.  The County had 710 tests of which 107 or 15.4% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 13.5%. 

In a press release today, Governor Kathy Hochul reported the State’s positive rate for tests yesterday (6.74%), hospitalizations (1,588, +63), new COVID-19 hospital admissions (241), ICU patients (181, +3), intubations (70, +4), and deaths (10). 

Next Saturday, April 30 from 10am to 2pm, the Police Department is holding the bi-annual Drug Enforcement Agency National Prescription Take Back Day in the Guilderland Public Library’s auxiliary parking lot.  Please help prevent the accidental use or theft of prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications found in homes.  You can easily dispose of unwanted prescriptions (remove the label’s personal identification), over-the-counter drugs (no needles or sharp objects), and vape pens and e-cigarette devices with batteries removed.  You can also dispose of pet medications.  

With rising infection rates in the area, Town EMS continues to offer free COVID-19 vaccines to homebound residents.  Please do not hesitate to contact EMS by calling (518) 579-3737 to discuss how EMS can deliver the vaccine.

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