New coronavirus infections continue to trend upward in Albany County.

Health officials on Wednesday reported 24 new COVID-19, pushing the county's seven-day average infection rate to 2.6%.

Eight county residents were hospitalized with the virus. None were receiving intensive care.

With the infection rate increasing each day this week, health officials continue to urge residents to get vaccinated so they're better protected against the virus and its variants.

As of Wednesday, 66.3% of county residents had received a first dose of the vaccine. That number is 77% among adults 18 and older.