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.”

The University of Albany is now more than half-way to the metric of COVID-19 cases that would force classes to be given entirely remotely.

New York State announced a record-high number of test results as Albany County reported 28 new cases and its 134th death on Saturday.

Government programs were announced this week to help small-business owners, manufacturers, child-care centers, farmers, and workers who lost wages — all due to the pandemic.

The spike of COVID-19 cases at UAlbany can be traced back to athletes and to off-campus housing in the Pine Hills neighborhood of Albany, said Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy.

Currently, some places in Guilderland’s five elementary schools, middle school, and high school have “dead spots” for communication, said Superintendent Marie Wiles. The award will be used to upgrade radio communication for all seven buildings.