Full Notification

Albany County COVID-19 Dashboard reported today that there were 28 new positive cases overnight in the County, which raised the County’s COVID-19 cumulative pandemic total to 73,594 positive cases.  The County’s seven-day average of new daily positive cases decreased from 75.6 to 64.8 cases.  The number of County residents in the hospital overnight with COVID-19 increased by one patient to 29 patients, with three patients in the ICU.  The County’s pandemic death toll remained at 565 residents. 
 
State DOH reported that the County’s rate for one vaccine dose as of yesterday was 81.6% of the County’s total population and 92.2% 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 90.8% for the total population and 95.0% of adults, and the State’s rate for full-vaccination was 77.6% 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 83,995 tests Statewide were 4,278 or 4.7% positive, with the seven-day average remaining at 5.5%.  The Capital Region had 2,882 tests of which 165 or 6.0% were positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 7.0%.  The County had 708 tests of which 42 or 7.5% were positive, with the seven-day average increasing to 7.6%. 
 
The Governor announced on Friday that the State would no longer provide COVID-19 hospital data on weekends and holidays, and would provide the weekend’s cumulative data on Monday or non-holiday weekday.
 
As of midnight on Saturday night, the CDC formally rescinded its order requiring persons to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documented recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States.  The CDC stated:
 
The COVID-19 pandemic has now shifted to a new phase, due to the widespread uptake of highly effective COVID-19 vaccines, the availability of effective therapeutics, and the accrual of high rates of vaccine- and infection-induced immunity at the population level in the United States. Each of these measures has contributed to lower risk of severe disease and death across the United States. As a result, this requirement which was needed at an earlier stage in the pandemic may be withdrawn.  CDC continues to recommend that those travelers boarding a flight to the U.S. get tested for current infection with a viral test as close to the time of departure as possible (no more than 3 days) and not travel if they are sick.
 
After finding on Friday that Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine was effective and safe for children 5 years of age and younger, the FDA reported yesterday that Pfizer’s vaccine was also effective, with no safety concerns, for the same age group.  Both findings are in advance of meetings this week by FDA’s Advisory Committee to consider a recommendation to CDC to authorize emergency use of the vaccines.
 
With the end of the school year approaching, the Parks & Recreation Department is taking the last steps to be ready for the opening of the Town’s 2022 Summer Recreation Program.  So far, registrations are very strong, with some programs at capacity and with wait lists.  There are still slots available for many activities during the camp season, which runs from Monday, June 27 to Friday, August 5, but please remember that registration closes, with no exceptions, on Thursday, June 23.  You can register here.  Please also visit Parks & Rec’s Facebook page about program offerings.   For a quick reminder, the Tawasentha Park pool will open this Saturday, June 18 for Town residents and their non-resident guests.   
 
Thank you for staying safe and calm.    
 
Peter G. Barber
Town Supervisor