While three more deaths announced in Columbia County Feb. 4 is certainly not good news, the number of new COVID-19 cases locally is not currently climbing like it was a few weeks ago. Thursday there were 21 new coronavirus cases announced in Columbia County, and 16 new cases in Greene County. Nationally there is also both good and bad news, as vaccine supplies increase, but new variants that are more transmittable and, maybe, deadlier, are spreading. The national government is now mandating masks on public transportation and in federal buildings, but people are sure to mingle more in public with upcoming holidays after staying inside for winter storms and bitter cold in many parts of the country. In Ulster County there is also good and bad news. Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan said Feb. 4 that his county has received a 6,800 doses of COVID vaccine over the past four weeks, but that more than 30,000 people have signed up to get the shots. Ulster County reported two more deaths, and 54 new positive tests on Feb. 5. Dutchess County reported three more deaths, and 34 more cases. Rensselaer County announced 61 new COVID-19 cases, and one more death Feb. 5, and Albany County had 155 new cases, and two more deaths.