1/2/22 COVID -19 Update https://t.co/Jyqn9kzq74 pic.twitter.com/oJ0ZgTh7TD

— Columbia Co. DOH (@ColumbiaCoDOH) January 2, 2022

Steve Hughes reports in the Times Union that Albany County announced a record 1,003 positive coronavirus cases Dec. 31 and 657 more on Jan. 1. On Jan. 2, Albany County reported an additional 558 new positive cases. Albany County had 23 new hospitalizations announced Jan. 2, with 84 county residents currently hospitalized with coronavirus, and ten patients in ICU’s. “The spike in hospitalizations is alarming, nearly doubling from the day before and bringing us to the highest number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 since this all started,” said Albany County Executive Dan McCoy. “We know that getting a vaccination is the best protection in fighting the virus and if a vaccinated person contracts COVID-19, he or she is less likely to experience severe symptoms, be hospitalized or die. I continue to urge those who are unvaccinated to get a shot and get the booster when you are eligible. Do it for yourself, your loved ones, and our community.” On Jan. 4 the state is opening a regional testing site at Crossgates Mall open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The Times Union also reports three more COVID-19 deaths, one in Greene County and two in Rensselaer County. Columbia County announced 155 new cases on Jan. 2, with 460 current active cases, and 25 hospitalized, and three in the ICU. Greene County announced 93 more cases on Dec. 30 with 21 hospitalized then, and has not provided the public any information since then. Dutchess County reported another death, and added 526 cases Jan. 2, for a total of 5,042. That's 2,500 more than the county’s January 2021 peak. Ulster County added 198 COVID-19 cases on Dec. 30, with 2,161 total. Read more about this story in the Times Union.