Advisory
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Eight Hundred Fourth Update,
Friday, May 20, 2022
In a press release, Governor Kathy Hochul reported the State’s positive rate for tests yesterday (8.31%), hospitalizations (2,638, -20), new COVID-19 hospital admissions (443), ICU patients (249, -4), intubations (91, -8), and deaths (23).
In a significant change today, the CDC is now strongly recommending that persons over 50 years of age and persons 12 years and older who are immunocompromised should receive the second booster at least four months after the first booster. The CDC had previously only encouraged persons over 65 years of age or with underlying serious medical conditions to receive the second booster and gave persons over 50 years the option.
The CDC stated:
[T]oday the CDC is strengthening its recommendation that those 12 and older who are immunocompromised and those 50 and older should receive a second booster dose at least 4 months after their first. Over the past month we have seen steady increases in cases, with a steep and substantial increase in hospitalizations for older Americans. While older Americans have the highest coverage of any age group of first booster doses, most older Americans received their last dose (either their primary series or their first booster dose) many months ago, leaving many who are vulnerable without the protection they may need to prevent severe disease, hospitalization, and death.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Eight Hundred Fourth Update,
Friday, May 20, 2022 
In a press release today, Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy reported that there were 265 new positive cases overnight in the County, which raised the County’s COVID-19 cumulative pandemic total to 71,702 positive cases. The County’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases decreased from 229.8 to 218.5 cases. The number of County residents in the hospital overnight due to COVID-19 symptoms remained at 47 patients, with three patients in the ICU. The County’s pandemic death toll remained at 556. The County Executive reported that the death earlier this week was a woman in her 70’s.
State DOH reported that the County’s rate for one vaccine dose as of yesterday was 81.9% of the County’s total population and 91.6% of the adult population, and the County’s rate for full-vaccination was 74.4% of the total population, and for boosters was 74.3% of the eligible population. The State’s rate for one dose was 90.4% for the total population and 95.0% of adults, and the State’s rate for full-vaccination was 77.2% 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 120,323 tests Statewide were 10.458 or 8.3% positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 8.7%. The Capital Region had 6,069 tests of which 671 or 10.9% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 12.9%. The County had 1,485 tests of which 192 or 13.3% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 14.1%.
The State’s COVID-19 website reported that yesterday’s results for 120,323 tests Statewide were 10.458 or 8.3% positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 8.7%. The Capital Region had 6,069 tests of which 671 or 10.9% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 12.9%. The County had 1,485 tests of which 192 or 13.3% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 14.1%.
In a press release, Governor Kathy Hochul reported the State’s positive rate for tests yesterday (8.31%), hospitalizations (2,638, -20), new COVID-19 hospital admissions (443), ICU patients (249, -4), intubations (91, -8), and deaths (23).
In a significant change today, the CDC is now strongly recommending that persons over 50 years of age and persons 12 years and older who are immunocompromised should receive the second booster at least four months after the first booster. The CDC had previously only encouraged persons over 65 years of age or with underlying serious medical conditions to receive the second booster and gave persons over 50 years the option.
The CDC stated:
[T]oday the CDC is strengthening its recommendation that those 12 and older who are immunocompromised and those 50 and older should receive a second booster dose at least 4 months after their first. Over the past month we have seen steady increases in cases, with a steep and substantial increase in hospitalizations for older Americans. While older Americans have the highest coverage of any age group of first booster doses, most older Americans received their last dose (either their primary series or their first booster dose) many months ago, leaving many who are vulnerable without the protection they may need to prevent severe disease, hospitalization, and death.
The CDC’s map of level of community spread again shows for the fifth consecutive week that Albany County is at a “high” level at which the CDC recommends the wearing of facemasks in public indoor spaces. As of yesterday, the number of counties in the country that are at a “high” community level has more than doubled in the last week from 137 counties to now 297 counties (9.21%). The number of counties with a “medium” community level has reached 483 (14.98%), with 2,444 counties (75.81%) at a “low” community level.
At this “high” level of community infection, County DOH is “strongly recommending that face masks be worn in public places and private businesses.” The Town continues to also strongly recommend that all persons wear facemasks in public settings at indoor Town facilities.
Today, in recognition of National EMS Week, I accompanied Town EMS Director Jay Tyler as he backed up several ambulance calls by Town ambulances. When you are with the paramedics and EMTs as they provide care, you quickly appreciate their teamwork, professionalism, and kindness in often very difficult situations. Please take the time to check out EMS brief videos on how to apply a tourniquet, perform hands only CPR, the importance of bicycle helmet safety, traffic safety and the move over law, and questions and answers with EMS Director Tyler. I thank our paramedics and EMTs for their dedicated service to our community.
At this “high” level of community infection, County DOH is “strongly recommending that face masks be worn in public places and private businesses.” The Town continues to also strongly recommend that all persons wear facemasks in public settings at indoor Town facilities.
Today, in recognition of National EMS Week, I accompanied Town EMS Director Jay Tyler as he backed up several ambulance calls by Town ambulances. When you are with the paramedics and EMTs as they provide care, you quickly appreciate their teamwork, professionalism, and kindness in often very difficult situations. Please take the time to check out EMS brief videos on how to apply a tourniquet, perform hands only CPR, the importance of bicycle helmet safety, traffic safety and the move over law, and questions and answers with EMS Director Tyler. I thank our paramedics and EMTs for their dedicated service to our community.
I hope that you have an enjoyable and safe weekend. With temperatures in the 90’s and strong sun, please be careful to avoid heat stroke by staying hydrated, staying in an air-conditioned room, staying out of the sun, and checking up on relatives and neighbors
Thank you for staying safe and calm.
Peter G. Barber
Town Supervisor
Peter G. Barber
Town Supervisor
Address/Location
Town of Guilderland, NY
5209 Western Turnpike
Guilderland, NY 12084
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1