New sign-up opportunities for relief through the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Assistance Program will begin April 5.

A study released Tuesday by the United States Geological Survey found that the risk is low that scientists could pass the coronavirus to North American bats during winter research.

On Monday morning, Albany County officials pushed to have young adults eligible for COVID-19 vaccination as they are the most likely to be infected and spread the disease. On Monday afternoon, the governor announced that, beginning April 6, New Yorkers 16 and older will be eligible to get the vaccine. 

Albany County, like the rest of the state and nation, has seen an increase in infections following holiday gatherings — Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and most notably the spike that started with Thanksgiving through the Christmas and New Year’s celebrations.

With vaccination ramping up, there is a nationwide slowdown in COVID-19 testing. “COVID-19 tests are available and we need people to continue to be tested as we strive to get more people vaccinated,” said Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy.

On Friday, Cuomo announced a partnership to vaccinate through primary-care physicians in a New York City-based network, while Congressman Paul Tonko and others called on the White House to have primary-care doctors administer the COVID-19 vaccines.

It’d been a “slow year relative to new projects,” chiefly due to the pandemic, said Guilderland Industrial Development Agency Chairman William Young. During an audit presentation to the board, it was noted the IDA took in about $29,000 less in fees in 2020 than in 2019 — from $39,037 in 2019 to $10,297 in 2020.

Solitary confinement can become a death sentence.

ALBANY COUNTY — As the vaccination rate climbs — 27 percent of New Yorkers and 34 percent of Albany County residents have gotten at least one shot of COVID-19 vaccine — more people are traveling and more venues are opening.