Full Notification

State DOH reported that the County’s rate for one vaccine dose as of yesterday was 81.8% of the County’s total population and 91.1% of the adult population, and the County’s rate for full-vaccination was 74.3% of the total population, and for boosters was 72.4% of the eligible population.  The State’s rate for one dose was 90.2% for the total population and 95.0% of adults, and the State’s rate for full-vaccination was 77.0% 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 226,227 tests Statewide were 13,902 or 5.7% positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 6.9%.  The Capital Region had 6,698 tests of which 718 or 10.1% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 11.1%.  The County had 1,492 tests of which 210 or 13.9% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 11.1%.
 
Governor Kathy Hochul reported the State’s positive rate for tests yesterday (7.76%), hospitalizations (2,187, +44), new COVID-19 hospital admissions (383), ICU patients (195, -7), intubations (81, +12), and deaths (12).

To no one’s surprise, given the increasing local infection rates and hospitalization numbers, the CDC’s map of the nation’s counties has Albany County at a “high” community level of COVID-19 spread.  It is unfortunately the third consecutive week that the County has been assigned to the “high” level.  For another week, most of New York State’s counties are “high” and 79 counties nationwide or just 2.45% are at this level.  There are 2,827 counties nationwide or 87.69% at the “low” level. 
 
At the “high” level, the CDC recommends facemasks in indoor public places.  Despite this repeated designation, neither the State nor County has mandated facemasks indoors.  Please remember that the wearing of facemasks is strongly recommended in indoors public spaces in Town buildings. 
 
The Parks & Rec Department is hosting another Bird Walk at the Community Gardens on Friday mornings from 8am to 9:30 am on consecutive Fridays from May 13 to June 3.  The popular program consists of a guided walk with a trained bird counter in the Town’s Community Gardens to view birds in various habitats.  The tracking involves use of Ebird, an easy to use application designed by Cornell’s Lab of Ornithology to identify birds and report siting locations.  Community Gardens is located opposite the Winter Recreation Area on State Route 146.  
 
During the last Bird Walk in early April, the participants saw over 45 bird species.  With warmer and drier spring weather arriving next week (and hopefully continuing thereafter), there is a strong likelihood that participants will view more diverse species and more plentiful birds.  More information about registration and what to wear and bring for this fun event is available here. 
 
I hope that you have an enjoyable and relaxing weekend.
 
Thank you for staying safe and calm.    
 
Peter G. Barber
Town Supervisor