The Guilderland schools superintendent, Marie Wiles, emailed a letter to the school community Friday when the first case of COVID-19 at Altamont Elementary School was announced and then again Saturday after the second case, in a different household, had been announced on Friday evening.

ALBANY COUNTY — Jacob “Jake” Houck, with the Onesquethaw Volunteer Fire Company, and Gerald E. Paris Jr., Albany County’s fire coordinator, were each recently honored as Firefighter of the Year by the Albany County Volunteer Firefighters’ Association.

With 29 more COVID-19 cases before Sept. 25, the University at Albany would have to move to remote classes for two weeks.

“We so depend on everybody doing their part,” said Superintendent Marie Wiles. This means, she said, continuing with wellness checks, maintaining social distancing, wearing masks, and frequently washing hands.

On Friday, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention reversed its controversial guidance on COVID-19 testing.

Statewide, the COVID-19 infection rate remains low while the financial picture remains bleak.

In the first week of September, Albany County saw an increase of over 500 percent, compared to the same week last year, of residents needing help to buy food, leading the county executive to call for federal support.

The state’s largest teachers’ union is suing the state over withheld aid to schools.

GUILDERLAND — A pedestrian was struck in the Crossgates Mall parking lot on Monday afternoon as a man suspected of larceny was driving away, police say.

“The pedestrian was trying to assist our officers in stopping the vehicle before it sped away,” Guilderland Police Chief Daniel McNally told The Enterprise.

Speaking to young adults, Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy said on Tuesday, “You’re spreading it to people that can end up in the hospital or worst-case scenario, end up passing away.”