The COVID-19 story locally has been largely the same since a week or so after the Christmas and New Year's holidays, when the number of cases grew, as did the number of people trying, and failing to get an appointment for the vaccine. While the vaccine shortage remains, there is a little good news, as case counts have fallen slightly since the boom caused by more small gatherings in homes over the holidays. The number of hospitalizations, and deaths, though, is still high in the Capital Region and Hudson Valley. Dutchess County reported six more deaths Jan. 24, and Ulster County 12 more deaths over the weekend, the Daily Freeman reported. Columbia County reported 47 more positive coronavirus tests on Jan. 23, and 21 more on Jan. 24. On Jan. 23 the state COVID tracker website reported 38 new cases in Greene County, and 24 the next day. The Rensselaer County Health Department reported 68 new COVID-19 cases on Jan. 24, and one more death, while Albany County reported 193 new cases.