Berkshire Health Systems Initiates COVID-19 Antibody Testing

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems has begun providing COVID-19 antibody testing in the community, which will help residents to know if they have had COVID-19 at some point in the past, but officials stress that testing does not ensure immunity from the virus. 

The testing is available through a blood test and only with a physician order. Interested residents can ask their primary care physician to submit an order to the BHS Laboratory for a test to be drawn at a BHS blood draw station. The result will then be provided to the physician, who will relay the result to the patient.

Patients accessing the antibody testing will be responsible for any co-pays, deductibles or self-pay required by their health insurer, and if they have questions regarding whether insurance will pay for the test should contact their insurance provider.

"We believe this will be important in the long-run to help determine what percentage of the Berkshire population may have had COVID-19, with many people likely having contracted the virus but did not develop serious, or in some cases, any symptoms," said Dr. James Lederer, BHS' chief medical officer and chief quality officer. "Unfortunately, at this early stage of antibody testing nationwide, the test will not answer some key questions the public may have, including whether they have any immunity as a result of a positive antibody test. It may be some time before we know if there is immunity, and the longevity of that immunity."

"As we face the possibility of a resurgence of COVID-19 in the upcoming fall and winter months, this testing may help us to better understand how widespread the virus was locally in this first phase," said Dr. Jessica Krochmal, BHS chair of Pathology. "The test itself is a simple blood draw with a fairly fast turnaround, so that we can inform the primary care physician who ordered the test in a short timeframe."

In Berkshire County, to date, nearly 8,500 people have been tested for COVID-19 through a nasal swab test that determines if the individual has the virus at that time, and of that number, just over 500 have been positive. The antibody test will tell the individual, who may have had no symptoms or might at some point earlier this year have had respiratory illness whether they had COVID-19 from an historical perspective.

"We would stress that those who test positive for antibodies understand that this does not mean they are immune going forward," Lederer said. "People should continue to follow all of the precautions put in place across Massachusetts and locally to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, including social distancing and masking where required."

Elder Services Marks 50 Years of Service to Aging Population

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:42PM / Monday, October 14, 2024

Executive Director Chris McLaughlin reflects on the agency's growth over the past half century.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Elder Services of Berkshire County has assisted the aging local population for 50 years, growing exponentially from its roots with three employees on Wendell Avenue.

Hundreds gathered at the Country Club of Pittsfield on Friday for the agency's annual meeting. 

"We have been very busy since the last time we got together and we have a lot to celebrate ... For 50 years, Elder Services has been providing services to seniors, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers throughout Berkshire County," Executive Director Chris McLaughlin said

"Today, we are a $28 million organization supported by 140 employees and 260 active volunteers, working with community partners and our home care providers to provide support and services to the residents of the cities and towns throughout Berkshire County."  

Over the summer, the agency moved into a modern, more accessible office at 73 South Church St. (the Clock Tower building.)  Formerly the Wayfair call center, the two-story workplace offers a street-level entrance for those with mobility issues — compared to the fourth-floor office at 877 South St.

Mayor Peter Marchetti is glad to see Elder Services downtown.

"The downtown not only hosts a variety of places to eat, shop, and play but also it is the heart of our human and social service agencies to prioritize meeting people where they're at," he said.

"As many of you know, Elder Services recently moved into the Clock Tower building. I applaud Chris and the entire team for a space that will be more accessible to the people you serve. It is vital that our residents have access to social service agencies and organizations so they can access the services and programs that impact daily life. Thank you for choosing downtown as your home, and we are happy to welcome you there again."

Since a commercial kitchen was established in 1994, the agency has served more than 7 million meals to isolated or homebound Berkshire County residents.