Full Notification

Albany County’s COVID-19 dashboard reported that there were 224 new positive cases overnight in the County, which raised the County’s COVID-19 cumulative pandemic total to 66,318 positive cases.  The County’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases increased from 164.4 to 170.2 cases.  The number of County residents in the hospital due to COVID-19 symptoms decreased by four to now 28 patients, with two patients in the ICU.  The County reported two deaths overnight that the County’s pandemic death toll remains at 551. 
          
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 70.8% of the eligible population.  The State’s rate for one dose was 90.1% 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 142,684 tests Statewide were 9,538 or 6.3% positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 6.9%.  The Capital Region had 6,254 tests of which 619 or 9.3% were positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 12.2%.  The County had 1,406 tests of which 162 or 11.9% were positive, with the seven-day average remaining at 14.0%.
 
In a press release today, Governor Kathy Hochul reported the State’s positive rate for tests yesterday (6.33%), hospitalizations (1,781, +7), new COVID-19 hospital admissions (356), ICU patients (190, -3), intubations (69, +6), and deaths (17).
 
Moderna announced today that it would ask the FDA to authorize its COVID-19 vaccine for children under 6 years of age.  In a study involving about 6,700 children, the Moderna said that its two-dose administered 28 days apart to children ages 6 months to less than 6 years triggered levels of antibodies equivalent to what has protected older children and adults.  The vaccine appears to be about 51% effective for children aged 6 months to less than 2 years, and 37% effective for those aged 2 to less than 6 years.   
 
For the second consecutive week, Albany County has a “high” community level under the CDC’s guidelines and map.  At this level, the CDC recommends the wearing of facemasks indoors in public settings and on public transportation.  Of the nation’s counties, the CDC reported that 39 (1.21%) counties were at a “high” level, most of which are in New York State.  There are 231 (7.17%) counties at the “medium” level and 2,954 (91.63%) counties are at the “low” community level.
 
After two years of very heavy participation by residents in the Town’s Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day, this spring’s event was comparatively quiet and one of the lightest to date.  There were about 150 vehicles and roughly one-half of a tractor trailer was filled.  In comparison, the fall 2020 event had 942 participating residents who dropped off two full tractor trailers of hazardous waste.  Among the possible reasons for the decline was the cleaning out of garages and basements during the pandemic and the drop in residents disposing of latex paints which are not considered hazardous. 
 
Thank you for staying safe and calm.
    
Peter G. Barber
Town Supervisor