ALBANY COUNTY — On the 17th straight day with a New York State positivity rate of less than 1 percent, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Monday a new record-low COVID-19 test positivity rate of 0.66 percent.

The Capital Region, of which Albany County is a part, had a rate of 0.4 percent. The North Country, as usual, is the lowest of the state’s 10 regions, at 0.1 percent. Western New York is the highest at 1.1 percent.

Also on Monday, Cuomo issued an executive order to ensure mail-in voting works smoothly. In the midst of the pandemic, it is expected more New Yorkers will vote by mail.

On Friday, Cuomo had signed legislation that authorizes voters to request an absentee ballot due to risk of illness, including COVID-19.

Monday’s order requires county boards of elections to take concrete steps to inform voters of upcoming deadlines, be prepared for upcoming elections, and help ensure absentee ballots can be used in all elections.

“This election is going to be one of the most critical in modern history. It will be controversial. You already hear the statements questioning the vote, and the accuracy of the vote, and mail-in ballots. We want to make sure that every vote is counted; every voice is heard and that it’s fair and right and accurate,” Cuomo said in a statement announcing his executive order. 

“I’m issuing today’s executive order because we want boards of elections to count votes efficiently and we want them to get it right, but we want it done in a timely manner,” Cuomo went on. “We don’t want to hear after-the-fact excuses.”

The executive order requires county boards of elections to:

— Mail a notice outlining all deadlines for voters by Tuesday, Sept. 8;

— Send staffing plans and needs to the New York State Board of Elections by Sept. 20 so the state board can assist in ensuring adequate coverage;

— Adopt a uniform clarified envelope for absentee ballots and require counties to use it;

— Count votes faster: require all objections to be made by the county board in real time, make sure that boards are ready to count votes and reconcile affidavit and absentee ballots by 48 hours after elections; and

— Provide an option for New Yorkers to vote absentee in village, town, and special district elections.

Vaccines encouraged

Also on Monday, the state’s Office for the Aging encouraged older New Yorkers, of which there are 4.3 million, to get current with all recommended immunizations, including those that provide protection against respiratory illnesses such as influenza and pneumococcal disease.

The concern is that elderly New Yorkers are staying away from doctor’s offices and regular visits for fear of contracting COVID-19.

“Staying healthy during this pandemic is critical, particularly for older adults, who are at greater risk for COVID-19,” said Greg Olsen, the office’s acting director, in a release. “Our immune systems are more easily compromised as we age, and older adults, especially those with chronic health conditions, have an increased risk of becoming seriously ill.”

Flu season in the United States can begin as early as October and last as late as May. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone six months of age and older, particularly those at greater risk, get their annual flu vaccine by the end of October. High-dose flu shots are available for adults age 65 and older.

People 65 years and older should also be up to date with the pneumococcal vaccination to protect against pneumococcal diseases, such as pneumonia, meningitis, and bloodstream infections. 

While these vaccines do not specifically protect against the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, they are highly recommended to maintain overall health and protect against other respiratory illnesses.

Newest numbers

Albany County now has 2,458 confirmed cases of COVID-19, an increase of four since Sunday, according to a release from the Albany County Executive’s Office.

Of the four new cases, two had reported travelling out-of-state and two have an unclear source of infection.

Albany County now has 528 people under quarantine, down from 586 on Sunday. The five-day average for new daily positives has decreased to 4.4 from 5.4 on Sunday. Albany County now has 25 active cases, down from 28 a day ago.

So far, 9,136 county residents have completed quarantine. Of those who completed quarantine, 2,433 of them had tested positive and recovered, an increase of seven.

Seven county residents remain hospitalized with COVID-19, keeping the hospitalization rate at 0.28 percent.

The county’s death toll from coronavirus disease 2019 remains at 131.