The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that average daily COVID-19 case counts have risen 35 percent across the country in recent weeks, as the holiday season approaches. And COVID-19 is roaring back locally too, with Columbia County schools reporting COVID-19 cases have nearly tripled since Oct. 1. The number of active coronavirus cases in Ulster County jumped 118 percent since Nov. 4, and in Dutchess County, case counts are up 62 percent since Nov. 1. And the Public Works Department in Hudson canceled the Nov. 18 recycling collection because of coronavirus. Now the Times Union reports that Albany County is reporting its highest single-day total of COVID-19 cases since late January, a time when few people were vaccinated. On Nov. 18, Albany County reported 191 new coronavirus cases, and the last time the county reported that many cases was Jan. 28. “While we don’t know if this is a sign of an even worse trend, it should be a wakeup call as we head into the holiday season when many families and friends are coming together to celebrate,” Albany County Executive Dan McCoy said. “This virus is spreading at an alarming rate and we know that more infections often lead to more hospitalizations and deaths further down the road.” In the past month, Albany County reported 19 deaths and 136 hospitalizations. Last year during the same time period, there were 11 deaths and 99 hospitalizations in Albany County. “We need everyone to do their part by getting vaccinated, getting the booster shot, wearing masks indoors, staying home if you’re feeling sick, and if you’re celebrating Thanksgiving with family and friends next week, consider getting tested beforehand,” McCoy said. Meanwhile, the Berkshire Eagle reports that in Pittsfield, Massachusetts second graders at Morningside Community School are being forced to quarantine until after the Thanksgiving holiday, because of a coronavirus outbreak there. Read more about this story in the Times Union.