County starts giving COVID vaccines as hospitalizations break another record

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Governor Andrew Cuomo said he had spoken with local government leaders who are worried about the highly transmissible strain of COVID-19 from the United Kingdom. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 52 cases of the strain, known as B.1.1.7, in the United States with 26 cases in California, 22 in Florida, two in Colorado, and one case each in Georgia and New York.

Dial 2-1-1 to learn about COVID-19 vaccine or to get help signing up

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Residents may dial 2-1-1 to learn about the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine and how to sign up for a vaccination.

COVID hospitalizations ‘alarming’ in Albany County

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The governor wrote to Pfizer on Monday to see if New York State could purchase COVID-19 vaccine directly from the company that made it.

More county COVID-19 patients in hospital than ever before

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

On Sunday, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that, for the second day in a row, New York State has another case of the highly transmissible strain of COVID-19 first identified in the United Kingdom. This latest case is in Westchester County, bringing the state’s total of B.1.1.7 cases to 18.

Albany County reports seven more deaths from COVID-19

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

Governor Andrew Cuomo on Saturday reported that New York State has another case of the highly transmissible variant of COVID-19 known as B.1.1.7. The latest confirmed case is in Tompkins County, bringing the state’s total to 17.

Capital Region does well getting the vaccine it has into arms

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

ALBANY COUNTY — Although the clamor continues for COVID-19 vaccinations as demand far outstrips supply, the Capital Region is doing well getting the vaccine it has into the arms of residents, according to figures released by the governor on Friday.

UAlbany vaccine site opens on Friday

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

While the Senate Republican Conference’s Long Island delegation is blaming Governor Andrew Cuomo for  “utter chaos” in the state’s vaccine roll-out, Cuomo maintains the fault lies with the federal government naming 7 million New Yorkers eligible while distributing just 300,000 vaccine doses weekly.

Week XLIV: Demand drastically exceeds COVID-19 vaccine supply, patience urged

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

The federal government made several shifts in COVID policy this week: Requiring international travelers to test negative before flying to the United States, changing the guidance for vaccine eligibility, and releasing doses originally held back.

Photo: Capitol Closed Off

The New York State Capitol in Albany was closed off on Tuesday as dozens of state capitols across the nation were on alert, following calls among a mix of anti-government organizations for actions in all 50 states on Jan. 17, according to The New York Times.

Photo: Points of Dispensing Opening for Vaccines

New York State is opening points of dispensing, known as PODs, to give COVID-19 vaccines to eligible residents. This one, in the northwest parking lot on the uptown University at Albany campus, off of Washington Avenue Extension, is to open on Friday, Jan. 15 for people with appointments. Currently, all slots through March are filled.

Photos: The People Lead

A caravan took wended its way for four miles through Albany. The event was part of a national day of action called The People Lead events by Indivisible Project.  Indivisible, a progressive movement, started in 2016 when Congressional staffers published an online handbook on peacefully resisting the move to the right under President Donald Trump.

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