Scientists at Albany Medical College are working with scientists at the University of Wisconsin to find a signature, in blood samples, to identify patients who are most vulnerable to long COVID.

According to the most recent report on Albany County’s wastewater surveillance, covering the two-week period from Nov. 28 to Dec. 14, the trends show an increase from Albany’s North and South plants and Guilderland’s plant while showing a decrease for Bethlehem’s plant. For Albany’s North Plant, South Plant, and the town of Guilderland, the detection level suggests a daily case incidence of more than 50 cases per 100,000 people, the report says.

Statewide, COVID hospitalizations are far more prevalent than they have been for months. Albany is one of 20 counties labeled with a “medium” rate and, for the first time, seven of New York’s 62 counties are labeled as having a “high” rate of COVID hospitalizations.

Meanwhile, the state’s health department, which tracks the distribution of COVID-19 variants statewide, has charted an uptick of new cases since early November.

February was the last time the number of new cases was this high in New York state, according to information reported by the state’s health department. 

ALBANY COUNTY — In a three-step system, Albany County has moved this week from “low,” where it was ranked all summer, to “medium” for COVID-19 hospital admissions.

ALBANY COUNTY — On Sept. 20, the Biden administration announced it would once again set up a system so that free at-home tests for COVID-19 can be delivered through the United States Postal Service.

They stood together at a press conference on Sept. 20, hosted by Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy who said, “It’s about taking a chance because what we’re doing isn’t working.”

Free naloxone, as well as fentanyl and xylazine test strips, can be ordered through a new ordering portal on the Office of Addiction Services and Supports website. The agency also offers free virtual naloxone training.

An estimated 25 to 30 million adults without health insurance in the United States are to have the cost of the new vaccine covered by a bridge program that runs out in December 2024.