Natasha Vaughn-Holdridge reports for Columbia-Greene Media that Columbia County has more COVID-19 cases this month than at the same time last year. “The numbers are up, I think its part of that general trend we’re seeing right now,” Columbia County Department of Health Director Jack Mabb said. Columbia County reported 62 new cases April 25, 18 more cases April 26 and 27 new cases April 27. “Our numbers are going up but they’re manageable,” Mabb said. “It’s all the same story across the state. The numbers are up but hospitalizations are not up. We’ve got five hospitalizations today, and none in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit). So, I think we’re going to manage our way to warmer weather and, hopefully, see a drop off in cases because of the warmer weather.” New variants of the virus have spread, and central New York has been hit particularly hard. “I think some of it depends on the weather,” Mabb said. We’ve got to get some cooperation from the weather. I’m very hopeful and I’m confident we can continue to manage what we have in terms of our numbers. I’m very hopeful that we will start to see them go down.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently list Albany and Rensselaer counties at a high level of risk for catching COVID-19, while Berkshier County is at a medium level and Greene and Columbia counties are considered at a low level. The start of the 11th season of Concerts in the Village in Kinderhhok has been postponed until an unknown date due to COVID-19. Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.