Pittsfield Seeing Decrease in Average Rate of COVID-19 Cases

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — After a month of sharp COVID-19 increase, the city is seeing a decreasing average case rate.

"With regards to the number of cases we have been seeing, we continue to get high and low case days," Director of Public Health Andy Cambi wrote in an email on Friday. "It is a similar trend we have seen with past spikes. The cases would slowly decrease, usually taking periodic significant drops and then leveling off for a time."

There were 94 new cases on Thursday, 75 on Wednesday, 124 on Tuesday, and 46 on Monday.

The average case rate per 100,000 people is 223.6 after peaking at an all-time high of 283.1 on Jan. 16.  

The positivity rate is now 16.8 percent, down from 18.1 on Jan. 17. That metric was close to the pandemic's highest positivity rate of 19.2 that occurred in early April 2020.


Similarly, the number of estimated actively contagious cases has dropped to 445, whereas there were 790 on Jan. 15.  

There are currently 21 COVID-positive patients on precautions in Berkshire Medical Center. Pittsfield's 14-day hospitalization rate is 1 to 1.94 for vaccinated to unvaccinated patients.

Some 85 percent of residents are vaccinated with at least one dose and 74 percent of the community is fully vaccinated.  

Cambi was unable to be at Tuesday's City Council meeting for a COVID-19 update but provided graphs that confirm the drops in cases and hospitalizations.

BioBot sewage testing also showed a decrease in virus concentration followed by a drop in cases.


Pittsfield has remained in the red incidence rate since November. That same month, the Board of Health voted to implement a mask directive that states that masks should be worn in all publicly accessible indoor spaces in the city unless seated at a table eating food or drinking.

The COVID-19 task force reconvened before Thanksgiving to discuss the city's health data that pushed it into the red zone. At the time, Pittsfield was at a 5.1 percent positivity rate, compared to the state's 3.28 percent, and a case rate of 52 per 100,000 people.

Mayor Linda Tyer distributed a press release in response to the city reaching a higher risk incidence rate asking residents to participate in the fight against COVID-19 by continuing to wear masks, wash hands, social distance, and be mindful of gatherings with those outside of the household.

After Christmas, cases began to spike until they reached a peak in mid-January.

Early in the month, BHS spokesman Michael Leary said that with the omicron variant present in the community, the number of people being tested daily for COVID-19 by BHS had almost doubled.

This surge also had an effect on the schools, as Taconic High School and Reid Middle School had to close on Jan. 6 and 7 because they do not have enough staff to open.

Just one day before, Superintendent Joseph Curtis had cautioned in a video and written communication to Pittsfield Public School families that school closures could happen because of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases.


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Biz Briefs: Dream Green Expands, Marie's Closes, Advice for Retiring Docs

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

Dream Green Offers Secure Data Destruction

ADAMS, Mass. — Dream Green Recycling is now certified to destroy secure data, opening up possibilities for local municipalities and more to recycle their electronics locally.

Owners Patrick Kennedy and Kyle Danforth said this will help them reach new facilities.

"It allows us to do a lot more, municipalities, government contracts, hospitals, big corporate offices, stuff like that, where they need that badge to do the data destruction and know that, it's done the right way, and it's totally wiped out or destroyed," Danforth said.

The certification took about a year to obtain. Dream Green is one of few facilities in the New England area that has the certification, making it easier for customers to recycle their computer devices locally instead of shipping it outside the county or state.

"With us being able to do it locally reduces the carbon footprint and the emissions. A lot of people are like, 'Oh, we're recycling, but we're shipping it all the way to Rhode Island or New Jersey or out of the state.' And it's like, yeah, you're recycling, but you're really not lowering the carbon footprint because you have that tractor trailer truck or the 18 wheeler that's going over the trail and burning up all those emissions," Danforth said. "So yeah, you're recycling, but in the long scheme of things, you're creating a larger footprint trying to do the right thing," 

The team plans to expand on their certification to include on-site data destruction as well as solid state scrubbing to be able to upcycle the product.

"As we grow, we just listen to what the community lacks and try to fulfill those issues and stuff like that, help solve problems along the way. So this was someone who came to us and said something about how it was hard to do stuff with the E waste, and that's why we diversified in it," Danforth said.

Dream Green is EPA Section 608 certified, which means they are also able to handle refrigerants like refrigerators and air conditioning units.

"Our end goal is we want to be the facility like your scrap yard or your transfer station, where we are the one stop shop for recycling," Danforth said.

Kennedy agreed, "our job is to divert as much material from a landfill as possible. We try to divert as much trash from going to a landfill as possible. That's our main objective of Dream Green Recycling."

Dream Green Recycling opened in late 2023 and provides local drop-off and pickup from its locations at 15 Print Works Drive, Adams, and Downing Industrial Park in Pittsfield. It recycles mattresses, tires, televisions and more.

Marie's Closes on North Street

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Marie's North Street Eatery and Gallery closed its doors for the last time Friday, Feb. 27.

Co-owners Neil Davis and Ashley Marie announced their closure on the Facebook on the following Sunday.

"Bringing Marie's to life every day brought us incredible joy, from renovating the space, to opening a gallery, and of course, to preparing wholesome and tasty food for you, which is what we did best. We truly thank you so much for being a part of it."

The gallery held its ribbon-cutting two years ago at its space at 148 North St. The eatery and gallery had grab-and-go breakfast and lunch items.

The two had opened their eatery in the former Maria’s European Delights, paying homage to her through their name and certain menu items.

Financial Planner Specializes in Health-Care Professionals

WYNANTSKILL, N.Y. — Nate Tomkiewicz, a certified financial planner, specializes in providing fiduciary investment management and comprehensive financial planning, with a primary focus on health-care professionals within 10 years of retirement.
 
Established in May 2025, Tomkiewicz Wealth Management is a registered investment advisory firm.
 
"I founded Tomkiewicz Wealth Management to cut through the noise and provide the kind of specific, high-level guidance that health-care professionals deserve," said Tomkiewicz. "These are people who spend their careers — their lives — caring for others. My goal is to care for their financial future, ensuring they can transition from a high-stress career to a comfortable retirement."
 
After nearly a decade working in the financial services industry, Tomkiewicz founded his own firm to offer personalized, client-first experience. Tomkiewicz Wealth Management was built to address the unique complexities faced by doctors, nurses, and medical professionals who often juggle demanding careers with intricate benefit packages, including 401(k), 403(b) and 457(b) plans, he said.
 
The firm operates as a fee-only fiduciary, meaning it is legally bound to act in the client's best interest at all times. These services include strategies for retirement income, investment management, benefit optimization, tax planning, and planning for health-care costs. 
 
Tomkiewicz Wealth Management serves clients in New York's Capital Region, Berkshire County, and virtually across the country.
 
For more information visit tomkiewiczwm.com or call 518-219-7323.
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