| Positive Statewide | 2,027,015 | 2,612 |
| Positive County | 35,537 | 81 |
| Deaths Statewide | 22,414 | 49 |
| County Deaths | 483 | 3 |
| State 7-Day Rate | 4.49 | |
| County 14-Day Rate | 6.31 | |
| Hospitalizations/COVID | 423/128 | 7 BHS |
| www.getvaccinatedberkshires.org | ||
March 16, 2023: Three years and three days ago, North County officials declared a state of emergency as the first cases of the novel coronavirus appeared in the Berkshires.
Three days earlier, then Gov. Charlie Baker had issued a statewide emergency and ordered, on March 17, 2020, almost all public and private buildings closed and banned gatherings of more than 25.
Most of those conditions were lifted full or partially within the following year but spikes in COVID-19 meant continued monitoring and mask wearing.
Three years later, Gov. Maura Healey declared that public health emergency will end on May 11.
To date, there have been 2,027,015 reported infections in the state, with 2,612 new positive tests reported this past week. Some 22,414 people have died, 49 of those this past week.
In the Berkshires, the death toll is now 483, with three more reported this week, and the total number of infections stands at 35,537, with 81 new cases this week.
The seven-day average positive rate is 4.49 percent and the 14-day average for the county is now 6.31, both down several points from last month.
The numbers have been declining for weeks — statewide faster than in the county — but the figures no longer show the full picture. Many people are testing at home and that's often not getting reported, and between the widespread availability of vaccines and treatments, the virus is not longer as potent as it was three years ago.
The number of hospitalizations statewide is at 423, down from more than 3,000 in January 2022, and the vast majority of those testing positive are not being treated for COVID-19 at all. There 47 positive patients in ICU statewide compared to more than a 1,000 in April 2020.
As of Thursday, 128 patients statewide were hospitalized primarily for COVID-19; and about 153 patients were fully vaccinated.
More than 6.5 million people in Massachusetts had had at least one inoculation and nearly 1.7 million two boosters. More than 17.6 million doses have been administered statewide and Massachusetts has consistently had one of the highest percentages of vaccination in the United States.
And with that, this blog signs off for the last time. This information will be archived at some point in a way that will make it easy to find statistics we've been recording and stories we've written. Stay healthy.
March 9, 2023: The state numbers have declined again for the ninth consecutive week after hitting a high of more than 10,000 at the beginning of the year.
Reported cases this week statewide were 2,703, down 600 from the week before, for a total of 2,024,403. Deaths reported were 61 for a total of 22,635 and the seven-day average positive rate was 4.85 percent, down a full point from last week.
The number of cases in the county have remained fairly flat the last five or six weeks, with 110 reported this week, the same as last week. The total number of county cases is 35,456 but there were no deaths reported, with the toll staying at 480. The 14-day average positive rate remains high at 7.75 percent, down only a fraction from last week.
The number of hospitalizations has dropped below 500 for the first time since last summer. Of the 458 COVID-19 positive patients, 152, or 33 percent, are being treated primarily for the virus and 163, or 36 percent, are not fully vaccinated.
The total number of cases nationwide is 103,672,529 and deaths 1,119,762. More than 54 million booster doses have been administered and fewer than 17,000 people are hospitalized.
March 2, 2023: The county's numbers haven't declined, with the number of new cases fairly flat and with a jump of of almost a point for the 14-day positive average rate.
The numbers for the week were 110 cases reported and two deaths, bringing the totals to 35,346 and 480, respectively. The average rate was 7.88 percent, up from 6.71 and two points up from the week before.
State numbers slowly dipped at 3,356 new cases, down about 500 from the week before, and the seven-day positive average rate was 5.88 percent, down about a point from the week before.
The state totals are now 2,021,700 cases and 22,304 deaths, with 87 new deaths reported this week.
Hospitalizations are on the decline with 544 positive patients, of which 137, or 25 percent, are being treated primarily for COVID-19 and of which 32 percent are not fully vaccinated. There are seven positive patients at BMC.
Vermont is ceasing reporting of PCR test data this week and will be archiving that information beginning May 18. The state is reporting "low" levels in 12 of its 14 counties and averaging 49 positive cases a day compared to 200 last year. Vermont reports 925 deaths since March 2020 and 152,272 total cases. More than 1.6 million doses of vaccine have been administered. Vermont and Massachusetts have been the highest in terms of percentage of population vaccinated.
This page will stop updating on March 9, one day before the third anniversary of the declaration of the state of emergency. This page will be archived afterward.
Feb. 23, 2023: Statewide cases are dropping but county cases are doing the opposite.
The county reported 133 new positive cases in the last week, up from 107 the week before, and 72 the first week of February. The 14-day positive average rate is also up a full point from last week at 6.71 percent. The total number of cases is 35,236.
The statewide number was 3,850, down from about 4,500 for the last two weeks. The seven-day positive average rate was down slightly, from 6.96 to 6.74 percent. The total number is 2,018,344.
Deaths this past week were 85 statewide and four in the Berkshires for totals of 22,217 and 478, respectively.
Hospitalizations continue to slowly decline at 618 positive patients of which 30 percent, or 183, are being treated primarily for COVID-19. About 38 percent of all patients, or 213, are not fully vaccinated.
This page will stop updating on March 9, one day before the third anniversary of the declaration of the state of emergency. This page will be archived afterward.
Feb. 16, 2023: The county saw a strange blip in cases aver nearly a month of declining numbers. It reported 107 new cases in the last week after having only 72 the week before.
The 14-day average positive continued to fall, however, dropping more than a point from 6.6 percent to 5.72. The state's seven-day average is 6.96 percent, down from 7.65.
Statewide, the number of new cases declined slightly at 4,470, down about 120 from the week before, for a total to date of 2,014,494.
Deaths haven't slowed much after peaking in January. There were 102 reported in the past week, and its averaged between 10 and 15 daily since last May. The county reported four more deaths for a total of 474; the statewide toll now stands at 22,132.
There are 633 positive patients hospitalized of which 173, or 27, are being treated primarily for COVID-19 and 40 percent of all positive patients are not fully vaccinated. BHS has nine positive patients.
This page will stop updating on March 9, one day before the third anniversary of the declaration of the state of emergency. This page will be archived afterward.
Feb. 9, 2024: The number of positive confirmed cases continues in the decline with 72 new cases reported in the Berkshires, down from 120 the week before. The state reported 4,591, down from 5,160.
The total number of cases is now 34,996 for the county and 2,010,024 for the state.
The number of deaths reported was five for the county, for a total of 470, and 92 for the state, for a total of 22,030.
The seven-day positive average case rate is 7.65 percent statewide and the 14-day average is 6.6 for the county. Those are down from 8.31 and 9.05, respectively. The Berkshires, Franklin, Hampshire and the islands have the lowest percentages, all less than 7 percent.
Hospitalizations also are declining, with 691 patients testing positive statewide and of which 189, or 27 percent, are being treated primarly for COVID-19. Some 36 percent, or 247, are not fully vaccinated. Berkshire Health Systems reports nine positive patients.
Pittsfield's total number of cases is now 15,678, with 37 reported in the past week; North Adams has a total of 3,612, with 12 reported in the last week. Within the two weeks ending Feb. 4, Sheffield reported 13 cases and Great Barrington 12. All other towns were less than 10 percent with 22 reporting zero or less than five.
The total number of cases nationwide now stands at 102,736,819, deaths at 1,110,364 and current Hospitalizations at 22,317.
This page will stop updating on March 9, one day before the third anniversary of the declaration of the state of emergency. This page will be archived afterward.
Feb. 2, 2023: Cases and positivity rates continue to decline from the brief spike over the holidays. However, many cases may not be reported as people are taking at home tests.
The effect of the virus on the state may best be seen by the number of people being hospitalized. The number of total patients testing positive is down more than 100 from a week ago, at 744. But the majority are not being treated primarily for the disease.
That number is 211, or 28 percent, down only 11 from the week before, 486 or 35 percent. There are 78 patients in intensive care and 32 intubated.
The percentage of those who are not fully vaccinated is 35 percent, representing 258 patients.
BHS currently has seven positive patients.
The numbers for the week are 5,160 new cases statewide for a total of 2,005,433, and 112 deaths for a total of 21,938. Berkshire County had 120 new cases, down from 146 the week before and 230 three weeks ago, for a total of 34,924. There were seven deaths, bringing the county toll up to 465.
Percent positivity rates are down slightly with a state seven-day average of 8.31 percent and a county 14-day average of 9.05.
Pittsfield had 67 new cases for a total of 15,641 and has 29 active cases. North Adams reported 14 new cases for a total of 3,600.
This page will stop updating on March 9, one day before the third anniversary of the declaration of the state of emergency. This page will be archived afterward.
1) Wash your hands frequently
2) Cover sneezes and coughs
3) Avoid close contact with people if you or they are ill
4) Wear a mask
5) Get vaccinated
Health Secretary Marylou Sudders demonstrates the correct way to wash your hands.
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Northern Berkshire COVID-19 Operations Center
Residents can call with questions at 413-662-3614, answered between 8 and 5 weekdays and voicemail for after hours, or use nbcovid@gmail.com.
Berkshire Medical Center
Toll-free hotline for questions staffed weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m: 1-855-BMC-LINK or 1-855-262-5465. Berkshire Health Systems also has page with upated information here.
Southwestern Vermont Medical Center
Southwestern Vermont Health Care has an information page here.
Communities
Pittsfield's COVID-19 page has links to a daily update page and to subscribe for alerts
Other Information Sites
Massachusetts Department of Public Health: 617-983-6800
Vermont Department of Health: 802-863-7240
U.S. Centers for Disease Control has information and latest updates.
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| BHS Updates COVID-19 Vaccination Hours in Pittsfield Effective on March 7, COVID-19 vaccination will be available three days a week compared to the current seven-day schedule. |
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| North Adams Schools Puts Off Mask Mandate Decision to March 14 The School Committee voted reconvene on that date to make a decision, depending on COVID-19 data in the schools. |
| FEMA Awards $2.9 Million To BMC For COVID-19 Costs The hospital will receive a total of $2,908,751 in federal funding. |
| BHS Offering Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics These pediatric clinics will provide COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5 to 11 and will be held the first Saturday of each month, beginning March 5 at the BHS Vaccine Center, 505 East Street... |
| Dalton Town Hall Reopens, COVID Cases Drop Town Hall is once again open to the public after about two months of closure because of the winter COVID-19 surge. The change is due to a decrease in Dalton's case counts. |
| Pittsfield Health Board Changes Mask Directive to Advisory With COVID-19 metrics continuing to improve, the Board of Health on Wednesday voted to move the city's masking directive to a masking advisory. |
| Big Y Distributing Free N95 Masks Masks will be available in all of the markets, Table & Vine and Big Y Express Gas & Convenience locations on Saturday, Feb. 19. |
| Williamstown Board of Health Discusses Pullback on COVID-19 Advisories Although it never went the route of mandating steps like wearing indoor face coverings when a state mandate was lifted, the local board has continued to advise masks and made signage to that effect... |
 | Pittsfield Superintendent Takes No Position on School Mask Mandate Lift On Wednesday, Curtis told the School Committee that he will look to them for consideration and if nothing is brought forward, he will make a final decision. |
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| State's Low-Income Workers Getting $500 Premium Payments These payments represent the first round of funds to be distributed as part of the $460 million program, which was enacted in December. These payments, worth $250 million, will be mailed to 500,000... |
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| Adams Board of Health Decides Against indoor Mask Mandate After community feedback and a drop in case numbers, the Board of Health has decided not to issue an indoor mask mandate for the town. |
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| SVHC Schedules Kids' COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic No appointment is needed and walk-ins are welcome. |
| SVHC COVID-19 Resource Center Schedule Change Testing will resume as scheduled at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 22. |
| New State Program Will Let School Districts Distribute At-Home COVID-19 Tests The at-home testing program is designed to replace the commonwealth's "test and stay" program, which was created to allow in-school testing of asymptomatic close contacts of people who have tested... |
| Adams Board of Health Continues to Mull Mask Mandate As COVID-19 cases rise throughout the county following the holidays, the Board of Health continues to consider the possibility of a mask mandate and other potential restrictions. |
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| State Launches COVID-19 Digital Vaccine Card Tool The new tool, called My Vax Records, allows people who received their vaccination in Massachusetts to access their own vaccination history and generate a COVID-19 digital vaccine card, which would... |
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| COVID-19 Closes Two Grades at North Adams Elementary School Cases of COVID-19 among staff at Colegrove Park Elementary School is causing the closure of one grade for the week and remote learning for another. |
| School Mask Requirement Extended to Feb. 28 DESE Commissioner Jeffrey Riley on Monday alerted school districts that that masking would continue to at least Feb. 28 and possibly beyond that, pending changes in pandemic guidelines. |
| Williams College Not Seeing Severe Illness Associated with Spike in Positive COVID-19 Tests And the school's positive test rate, while still at one of its highest points during the COVID-19 pandemic, remains well below the positivity rate for Berkshire County, the Board of Health learned on... |
| SVHC Makes Change to COVID Resource Center Hours The center will no longer take appointments for COVID testing. |
| Pittsfield COVID-19 Numbers Higher Than Ever Before The number of people being tested daily for COVID-19 by Berkshire Health Systems has almost doubled as the omicron variant surges through the state. |
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| Hinsdale Select Board Member James Sullivan Dies of COVID-19 Town Administrator Bob Graves said he was a '"dedicated member of our community who attended everything and got involved in the town." |
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| Virus, Departures Have North Adams School Staffing 'On the Edge' Adding pressure to the staffing, School Department has more than two dozen openings including teachers, paraprofessionals and substitutes. |
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| Dalton Town Hall Won't Reopen Until Case Count Drops to 25 There are more than 100 cases in the community with almost 70 occurring in the last seven days. |
| Williams College Sees COVID-19 Numbers Spike The college already last week announced measures to help mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus in anticipation of this weekend's return of students to campus. |
| Governor Says Schools Will Remain Open Baker said some 2,200 schools were participating in some way with the state's testing system and that more than 450,000 school days had been saved through the work of school and public health... |
| Pittsfield COVID Cases Increase After Holiday The average daily case rate per 100,000 people is 75.9 and the percent positivity rate is 6.4. Pittsfield has remained in the red incidence rate since November. |
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