 BHS Providing COVD-19 Vaccine for Infants and ToddlersOn Saturday, July 2, the BHS Testing and Vaccine Center in Pittsfield will hold its monthly COVID vaccine clinic for children 5 to 11, running from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. COVID-19 Vaccinations Now Available for Young ChildrenThe Baker-Polito administration expects there to be more than 400 locations for children to receive a vaccine in the coming weeks. Pittsfield COVID-19 Cases Continue to DeclineOn Sunday, the positivity rate for COVID-19 cases was 8.5, compared to 14.8 in mid-May, and Pittsfield saw 11 new cases. There were 41.9 cases per 100,000 people, compared to 133.3 in mid-May. Williamstown Health Board Again Advises Masks at Town MeetingAgainst a backdrop of declining local numbers for COVID-19, the board instead decided to continue its stance of strongly recommending masking in indoor spaces and reiterated the places where residents can obtain one. Pittsfield COVID-19 Cases Wane But Still Not 'Out of The Woods'A week ago, the percent positivity rate was 11.5, down from 14.7 in mid-May. The average case rate was 73.1 per 100,000 people, which is significantly less than the rate of 133.3 in mid-May.  Pittsfield COVID Cases, Hospitalizations Continue to RiseOn Sunday, the percent positivity rate was 16.6 percent and there were about 132 cases per 100,000 people. The positivity rate was 12.4 percent on the previous Sunday and there were 106 cases per 100,000 people. Pittsfield COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations RiseOn Sunday, the percent positivity rate was 10.8 and there were 106 cases per 100,000 people. This is a stark contrast to the positivity rate of 2.1 in late March, when there were only about 13 cases per 100,000 people. Senator Hinds Tests Positive for COVID-19The senator is reporting mild symptoms and is isolating according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control guidelines. According to a statement released Thursday afternoon, he is vaccinated and boosted. Pittsfield Back in Red Zone for COVID-19Pittsfield entered the red incidence rate for transmission on Friday when the positivity rate rose to 5.3 percent. This risk category is defined by having equal to or more than 10 average cases per 100,000 or having a five percent or higher positivity rate in a 14-day period. Pittsfield Sees Increase in COVID Cases, Remains in Yellow Incidence RateThe positivity rate was 3.1 percent on Tuesday, a one percent increase from March 26 but a decrease from last week's metric of 3.3 percent. Pittsfield Schools Social-Distancing Practices End April 11With the change, signage related to masking, distancing, and room capacity will be removed and students will be able to share a lunch table in the cafeterias. Pittsfield in Low 'Yellow Zone' for COVID-19 TransmissionThe city is inching closer to entering the green incident rate for COVID-19 transmission after spending months in the "red zone." Massachusetts to Begin Distribution of Premium Payments to Low-Income WorkersApproximately 500,000 people will be begin receiving payments over the next week through the COVID-19 Essential Employee Premium Pay Program.  Williams College President Thanks Berkshires Healthcare HeroesToday, the college is once again bustling with students, faculty and staff, learning, living and working on campus. Throughout the Berkshires, communities are starting to emerge and look to the future again. Mount Greylock Committee Defends Handling of PandemicSeveral members of the Mount Greylock Regional School Committee last week defended the district's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic against criticism from one of their colleagues. Williamstown Board of Health: Face Coverings 'A Personal Decision'The board, which never took the step of mandating face masks in town, authorized the health inspector to inform businesses that the board is no longer recommending that otherwise healthy individuals wear face coverings.  North Adams Lifts Indoor Masking Advisory; Schools to Decide ThursdayThe decision to rescind the masking advisory is in line with current guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and the low levels of community spread of COVID-19 within the Berkshires. Pittsfield Now in Yellow COVID-19 Incidence RateOn Friday, the positivity rate dipped to 4.8 percent. To be in the yellow zone, a community must have ten or fewer average cases per 100,000 people or have a five percent or less positivity rate.  Berkshire Museum Drops Pandemic RestrictionsThe Berkshire Museum has suspended its mask and vaccine requirements for visitors. Starting Monday, guests will not be required to wear masks nor show proof of vaccination. Masks Now Optional in Pittsfield Public SchoolsCurtis emphasized the importance of honoring the choice that individuals make around face coverings. He outlined three levels of infractions that can be imposed on a student for not respecting a person's choice to mask or not to mask with the third report being a bullying infraction.  Hoosac Valley Regional School District Lifts Mask RequirementsThe district's School Committee voted 6-1 Thursday night to end masking requirements in the classroom. Nearly 60 people attended the meeting virtually to provide feedback to the committee and hear the decision. Adams Selectmen Lift Mask Requirement for Town BuildingsBetween Feb. 19 and Feb. 25, Adams recorded seven new COVID-19 cases, and Berkshire County is now considered moderate risk for transmission rather than high risk. Board of Health Chair David Rhoads said it is crucial to respect those who choose to or need to continue wearing masks. Pittsfield Continues to Recover from Holiday COVID SurgeAs of Sunday, the percent positivity rate was 8.6 percent, up from 7.7 on Feb. 24, and the average case rate is 48.4 cases per 100,000 people, up from 45.8 on February 24. North Adams Schools Puts Off Mask Mandate Decision to March 14The 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 CostsThe hospital will receive a total of $2,908,751 in federal funding. |
