Full Notification

In a press release today, Albany County Executive Daniel P. McCoy reported that there were 76 new positive cases overnight in the County, which raised the County’s COVID-19 cumulative pandemic total to 73,426 positive cases.  The County’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases decreased from 94.2 to 80.0 cases.  The number of County residents in the hospital overnight with COVID-19 remained at 33 patients, with three patients in the ICU.  The County’s pandemic death toll remained at 565 residents.  The County Executive noted that the two deaths of County residents since his Tuesday update were a woman in her 60’s and a woman in her 80’s. 
 
The County Executive added:
 
It saddens me to have to report that latest county residents who lost their lives to COVID complications. My deepest condolences go out to the families and loved ones of these individuals.
 
While this virus is clearly still a threat – especially for those with weakened immune systems and underlying health conditions – our metrics continue to move in the right direction.  Average cases per 100,000 are still on a downward slope, now the lowest I’ve reported since April 13, and hospitalizations are also declining.  Additionally, the wastewater monitoring system at our North and South Wastewater Treatment Plants in Albany are showing decreasing levels of the Coronavirus, which means we will continue to see decreasing levels of infections in the coming weeks, as this is a leading indicator. 
 
State DOH reported that the County’s rate for one vaccine dose as of yesterday was 81.5% of the County’s total population and 92.1% of the adult population, and the County’s rate for full-vaccination was 74.6% of the total population, and for boosters was 63.9% of the eligible population.  The State’s rate for one dose was 90.7% for the total population and 95.0% of adults, and the State’s rate for full-vaccination was 77.5% 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 104,000 tests Statewide were 5,663 or 5.1% positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 5.4%.  The Capital Region had 3,524 tests of which 228 or 7.2% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 7.4%.  The County had 843 tests of which 66 or 8.1% were positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 7.6%. 
 
In a press release today, Governor Hochul reported the State’s positive rate for tests yesterday (5.10%), and the current numbers for COVID-19 hospitalizations (2,009, -12), new hospital admissions (353), ICU patients (210, +8), intubations (72, -2), and 17 deaths.

FDA’s Advisory Committee yesterday recommended the emergency authorization of a new COVID-19 vaccine from Novavax.  Unlike the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which use messenger RNA to deliver genetic materials to cells to create spike proteins to fight COVID-19, the Novavax vaccine delivers spike protein directly to recipients.  It uses the same method as existing vaccines for the flu, shingles, and hepatitis B.  This traditional vaccine is also easier to store and transport, and lasts longer at refrigerator temperatures than the messenger RNA vaccines. The FDA hopes that vaccine holdouts, who are concerned about mRNA vaccines, may accept the traditional vaccine method used for decades for flu shots. 

The CDC also announced that, as of midnight on Sunday, international travelers flying to the United States would not have to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test before boarding their flights.  The CDC noted that current science and data do not support the need for the requirement but noted that it would reassess today’s decision in three months.  It is the last significant remaining COVID-19 related travel restriction after the ending of the facemask requirement on airplanes, buses and indoor public transportation locations.  The CDC still requires non-citizens to provide proof of vaccination before boarding a flight to the United States.
 
After seven consecutive weeks at a “high” level of COVID-19 spread, CDC’s county map now has Albany County at a “medium” level of COVID-19 spread.  At this level, the CDC recommends that residents wear a facemask on public transportation if they have symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19. The CDC’s recommendation also states that you may choose to wear a mask at any time as an additional precaution to protect yourself and others and if you are at a high risk of severe illness.  Schenectady and Rensselaer Counties continue with high levels but a number of upstate counties now have low or medium levels.  New York City is also now at a medium level.
 
At the national level, the trend is different with far more counties moving from low to medium and high levels.  As of yesterday, the nation has 314 (9.74%) counties at a high level.  The number of counties with a medium level has reached 1,056 (32.75%), with 1,854 counties (57.51%) at a low level.  All three percentages are moving in the wrong directions.  The trend is consistent with prior COVID waves that first affected New York and other northern states and months later subsided here and increased in other states.  Unfortunately, the CDC reports that COVID-19 related cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are increasing in the nation.
 
The 2022 Run for the Fallen will pass through our community on Sunday, June 12, with several stops on Western Avenue (Route 20).  This year’s Run honors and remembers the sacrifices of women and men who have died in the nation’s War on Terror.  The eight-minute stops in Town are at 11:37am at O’Connor Auction, 4018 Western Avenue, 12:14pm at Fuller Station Road, 12:53pm at the Guilderland Public Library, and 1:36pm at NYS Office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse, 1450 Western Avenue in McKownville. As the group of runners proceed through Town with an escort, Western Avenue will be restricted to one lane eastbound on a rolling basis for short periods for the run and brief scheduled stops. 
 
The Run started yesterday in Watertown, and after 207 miles, will end at the Gold Star Family Memorial Monument in LaFayette Park in Albany.  Please be mindful of runners, and families, friends, and neighbors who are greeting the runners and honoring fallen members of our community. 
 
I hope that you have an enjoyable and relaxing weekend.  
 
Thank you for staying safe and calm.    
 
Peter G. Barber
Town Supervisor