Full Notification

In a press release today, County Executive Daniel P. McCoy reported that the County had 268 new positive cases, the 38^th consecutive day over 100 cases.  The five-day average of new cases increased to 272.2 from 251.2.  The County’s pandemic total is 13,751 cases.  Of the new cases, 34 persons had close contact with a positive case, 17 persons were healthcare workers or residents in a congregate setting, and 216 persons had no clear source of infection.  There are 2,076 current positive cases, an increase from 2,034.  There were 10 new hospitalizations yesterday with the number of hospitalized persons decreasing by 10 to 149 patients.  The number of persons in the ICU decreased by three to 12 patients.  There were three deaths reported overnight which raised the County’s cumulative death toll to 249.  The number of persons currently in quarantine increased to 3,086 from 3,070.  So far, 42,191 people have completed quarantine, including 11,675 who had tested positive and recovered.  As of Friday, the County’s COVID-19 dashboard reported that, during the pandemic, results for 381,349 tests were 13,930 or 3.85%  positive.  
 
The County Executive added:
 
Another three Albany County families have lost loved ones due to COVID-19 and our number of new positive cases is not going down.  We have started giving vaccinations but as we heard from Governor Cuomo yesterday, if the state is getting 300,000 doses weekly, we won’t finish vaccinating all of the New Yorkers in phase 1a and 1b until mid-April.  That means we need to remain vigilant and wear our masks, socially distance, avoid gathering with people who don’t live in our homes and get tested.  This is the best way to protect ourselves and others until we can all be vaccinated.
 
State DOH’s COVID-19 dashboard  reported a record 258,031 statewide test results from yesterday which were 16,943 or 6.6% positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 7.7% and the 14-day average remaining at 7.6%.  The Capital Region’s reported results for 14,172 tests were 943 or 6.7% positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 9.5% and the 14-day average decreasing to 9.7%.  Albany County’s reported results for 3,553 tests were 233 or 6.6% positive, with the seven-day average decreasing to 9.5% and the 14-day average decreasing to 9.8%.
   
In a press conference today, Governor Andrew Cuomo stated that yesterday’s reported 258,031 test results had a positive rate of 6.57%, a decline from 7.72% yesterday.  The State’s remaining data included hospitalizations (8,527, -34), ICU patients (1,428, -47), ICU patients with intubation (876, -36), and 188 deaths.  The Capital Region’s hospital capacity rate improved slightly to 23% as did the ICU capacity rate to 18%.  The Governor added:
 
The good news -- a new testing record has been set. The bad news -- three more cases of the UK COVID strain have been found.  If we are to beat COVID once and for all, we need to win the footrace between how fast the infection rate rises and how fast vaccinations are administered.  The UK strain's Usain Bolt-like infection rate has certainly made that job all the more difficult, especially since the federal government has refused to mandate testing for international travelers, but New York is forging ahead nonetheless.  We have worked tirelessly to expand hospital capacity and are doing everything we can to accelerate the distribution of the vaccine.  What we all need to do now is remember that our actions will determine what happens next - so stay smart, wear a mask and avoid gatherings.

The Governor also announced that, in anticipation of expanding persons eligible in Phase 1B for the vaccine on Monday, the State would authorize pharmacies, municipalities, labor unions and doctors’ offices to administer vaccinations.   He said that about 500 pharmacies would soon join 1,200 pharmacies already certified to administer vaccinations.   Hospitals will continue vaccinating front-line health care workers. 

Phase IB includes roughly 3.2 million people, including 1.4 million people who are age 75 years or older, 870,000 education workers, 207,000 first responders including police and firefighters, 100,000 transit workers, and 100,000 public safety workers.  While optimistic that more vaccinations would soon be available, the Governor cautioned that, unless the current delivery pace of 300,000 doses dramatically improves, it could take months to vaccinate people in Phase 1B. 

President-elect Joe Biden stated that, with his assumption of office on January 20^th, he would release the Federal government’s entire available vaccine doses.  The current administration is holding about one-half of the available doses for the second-dose in the recommended regimen.  The vaccination plan will also include federally run vaccination sites in public places, like high school gyms and stadiums, and mobile units to reach high-risk populations.
While it is only one day and not a trend, today’s decline in hospitalizations and infection rates in the State, Region, and County are hopeful signs that were nearing the end of the impacts from holiday travel and gatherings.  The expansion of persons eligible for the COVID-19 vaccination on Monday is also a positive development.  And, maybe, the presence of small number of fans at the Buffalo Bills’ victorious game at home today is an indicia of a return to normalcy.   
 
I hope that you are having an enjoyable and safe weekend.
 
Thank you for staying safe and calm.

Peter G. Barber
Town Supervisor