can't clear notifications

My Avast icon in the system tray (Windows 7 Pro) has the number “3” on it like there are/where three notifications or messages. I can’t figure out how to clear them, nor can I find any messages, although there was one recent notification. How to I clear the messages so the number “3” disappears?
Thanks.
UM

Click on the notification icon in the GUI and take it from there.

http://screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1503832779505-9613.png

http://screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1503832900792-8902.png

http://screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1503833036610-90263.png

http://screencast-o-matic.com/screenshots/u/Lh/1503833099661-4653.png