The state is now focusing on hospital capacity rather than just COVID-19 infection rates, which were initially used to define micro-cluster zones. Of New York’s 10 regions, the Capital Region currently has the lowest percentage of hospital beds — 24 percent —  and intensive-care-unit beds — 18 percent — available.

As COVID-19 cases surge, regional hospitals, which are in daily contact, agreed on Monday to reduce non-urgent surgeries that require a hospital stay.

“Furloughs were not cost effective even in the future for the library,” Guilderland library trustee Barbara Fraterrigo said she learned. This is because staff put on furlough would be eligible for unemployment and, since the library is self-insured, “You reimburse the state for those funds anyway,” she said.

As COVID-19 cases surge, regional hospitals, which are in daily contact, agreed on Monday to reduce non-urgent surgeries that require a hospital stay.

“Our numbers are going through the roof …,” Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy said on Monday. “January’s going to be rough … It’s scary.”

Of the county nursing home’s 170 residents, 150 so far have agreed to get COVID-19 vaccinations. Only half of the home’s 200 workers have agreed.

“Right now, this variant in the UK is getting on a plane and flying to JFK …. How many times in life do you have to make the same mistake before you learn?” asked Governor AndrewCuomo.

Melissa Fleischut posited that, since the governor had announced that 74 percent of COVID-19 cases were contracted through “living-room spread,” that is, people having small gatherings in their homes, restaurants would be safer places for gatherings.

On Saturday, governor Andrew Cuomo sent a letter to President Donald Trump, calling on him to use his influence and force Congress to ensure the next COVID-19 stimulus package includes financial relief for American families, states and localities. He also asked Trump to forge a compromise on corporate liability limitations.

“Our clinical advisory task force approved Moderna this morning,” said Governor Andrew Cuomo at Friday’s press conference. New York expects to receive about 346,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine next week, pending final FDA authorization, Cuomo said. This is in addition to the 170,000 from Pfizer, which can now be stretched further.