Pittsfield Back in 'Yellow Zone' for COVID-19 Transmission

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Following the holiday weekend, the city has dipped into the yellow incidence rate for COVID-19 transmission.

On Tuesday, the percent positivity rate was 4.3, down from 5.3 last week. To be in the yellow zone, a community must have 10 or fewer average cases per 100,000 people or have a 5 percent or less positivity rate.

The average case rate was 29.1 on Tuesday, a metric that has stayed rather steady since mid-June.

The city is still close to the red zone, which is categorized by having equal to or more than 10 average cases per 100,000 and having a five percent or higher positivity rate in a 14-day period.

There are 54 estimated actively contagious cases in the city with 14 new cases on Tuesday. There have been more than 12,000 cases total. 

In mid-May, Pittsfield saw a surge that skyrocketed the percent positivity rate to almost 15 and the average case rate to over 130 cases per 100,000 people. There were more than 370 estimated actively contagious cases. 

There are currently three patients hospitalized at Berkshire Medical Center who have the virus. During the time of the mid-May surge, there were more than 20 hospitalizations.

Though the metrics have decreased, the city's Biobot sewage testing is showing an increase.  This testing is said to predict trends with the virus.

Butterflies Honor Passed Loved Ones at HospiceCare Event

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
12:39PM / Tuesday, May 21, 2024

Bereavement coordinator Rachel Lively, participant Susan Sorcinelli and volunteer Nancy Mclean spoke about the symbolize of butterflies in the grieving process. 

 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A kaleidoscope of butterflies was released over Onota Lake in honor of loved ones who have passed.

Hospice Care in the Berkshires held a remembrance ceremony at the Controy Pavilion on Saturday, ending with the release of six dozen painted ladies. Tears, happy memories, and strength were shared amongst attendees of all ages.

Bereavement coordinator Rachel Lively said the butterfly's metamorphosis from a caterpillar can be compared to the change that a grieving person goes through and the beauty that can come from the pain.

The release is one of the memorial services HospiceCare does for families of folks who have died in the last year but it is also open to the community, she said.

"So anyone really can come and a lot of the folks who are here are families who have lost a loved one on hospice."

Susan Sorcinelli, who had a loved one in hospice this past year, detailed a butterfly's transformation from a caterpillar to a winged beauty while wearing wings of her own.

"Butterflies have long been associated with transformation, beauty, and the cycle of life," she said. "The remarkable life cycle which involves metamorphosis from a humble caterpillar to a stunning butterfly mirrors the journey of life."

The non-profit is an affiliate of Integritus Healthcare and offers compassionate end-of-life care and bereavement services.