Albany County COVID-19 cases, starting in the beginning of March, appeared to reach an apex in mid-April, then continued to largely decline through the four phases of reopening the economy. But now, over the last two weeks, new cases, followed by hospitalizations and deaths, are on the rise.

Albany County Health Commissioner Elizabeth Whalen drew a sharp line between “people flying in the face of what is recommended” — for example business owners flagrantly disregarding executive orders who might then face arrest — and what her department does. “What we do at the health department in terms of contact tracing and case investigation has no legal ties whatsoever,” said Whalen.

Michelle Hinchey, the Democratic candidate for the State Senate’s 46th District, paid for the lawyer of Hébert Joseph, chairman of the Rensselaerville Democratic Party, who submitted a challenge against Democrat Gary Greenberg’s nominating petition, which resulted in Greenberg’s removal from the primary ballot. Hinchey had distanced herself from Joseph’s challenge when asked about it by The Enterprise in March. 

In a time of worry about youth unwittingly spreading COVID-19, local college leaders share their plans for reopening campuses.

The coronavirus uptick in Albany County continues with 29 new cases announced today and two more deaths.

The Friends of the Slingerland Family Burial Vault will present “A Visit with Slingerlands’ Founding Family” on Saturday evening, Aug. 1. Attendees will enjoy an evening walking tour of historic Slingerlands and experience first-person presentations by costumed performers at locations along the tour route.

Both state and county leaders made renewed and urgent calls for people — especially young people prone to parties — to keep their distance and wear masks. The governor set up requirements that bars serve food and announced several downstate bars that drew crowds and didn’t follow the rules were shut down.

Millions of federal dollars have flowed into the area recently.

As New York attempts to protect itself from an influx of COVID-19 by adding 10 more states to its travel-advisory list, Albany County has another uptick in local cases.