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Mayor Linda Tyer cautions that the city of Pittsfield has seen an uptick in COVID-19 cases.

Pittsfield COVID-19 Cases Reaching Early August Levels

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Mayor Linda Tyer is urging residents to be cautious this Labor Day weekend as COVID-19 cases in the city rise to levels seen in early August.
 
During her Friday address on Pittsfield Community Television, she said there have been 12 new COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks in the city.
 
"We are a lower risk community ... however this slight uptick in the positivity rate should be a warning to all of us," Tyer said. "We continue to battle a dangerous and highly contagious public health epidemic."
 
The mayor was referring to the state's COVID-19 community-level data map. Pittsfield has hit 2 for normalized cases per 100,000. Although still in the green low-risk category, Tyer asked residents to remain vigilant especially this Labor Day weekend.
 
"Please be safe," she said. "This is not the time to let our guard down ... avoid large gatherings, wear a mask, and social distance. Let's continue to do the right thing."
 
The city has had 221 total positive cases to date and six deaths. 
 
Tyer also spoke to the state Department of Public Health's flu vaccine mandate for all children and said Berkshire Health Systems and the city's public health agencies are preparing for additional clinics.
 
In other comments, she congratulated U.S. Rep. Richard Neal and U.S. Sen. Edward Markey on their Democratic primary victories Tuesday and thanked the 10,000-plus Pittsfield citizens who voted. 
 
"Thank you all who found a way to safely exercise your right and actively participate in our democracy," she said. 
 
She said the unofficial number of votes cast is 10,707. This includes ballots sent in via mail.
 
Cellist Yo-Yo Ma and pianist Emanuel Ex performed in pop up concerts throughout the city and the county this week as a special thank you for front line workers.
 
"Pittsfield is truly proud to be home of this momentous and cherished occasions," Tyer said. "I think it's time that we give Yo-Yo Ma and honorary residency in the city of Pittsfield." 
 
Tyer also sent her condolences to the family of former Pittsfield Mayor Remo Del Gallo who died Tuesday at the age of 94.
 
"He was a beloved member of our community who generously shared his political wisdom with those of us who sought elected office," she said. "He had a great scene of humor and was a brilliant storyteller."

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North Adams Regional Reopens With Ribbon-Cutting Celebration

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

BHS President and CEO Darlene Rodowicz welcomes the gathering to the celebration of the hospital's reopening 10 years to the day it closed. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The joyful celebration on Thursday at North Adams Regional Hospital was a far cry from the scene 10 years ago when protests and tears marked the facility's closing
 
Hospital officials, local leaders, medical staff, residents and elected officials gathered under a tent on the campus to mark the efforts over the past decade to restore NARH and cut the ribbon officially reopening the 136-year-old medical center. 
 
"This hospital under previous ownership closed its doors. It was a day that was full of tears, anger and fear in the Northern Berkshire community about where and how residents would be able to receive what should be a fundamental right for everyone — access to health care," said Darlene Rodowicz, president and CEO of Berkshire Health Systems. 
 
"Today the historic opportunity to enhance the health and wellness of Northern Berkshire community is here. And we've been waiting for this moment for 10 years. It is the key to keeping in line with our strategic plan which is to increase access and support coordinated county wide system of care." 
 
Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, under the BHS umbrella, purchased the campus and affiliated systems when Northern Berkshire Healthcare declared bankruptcy and closed on March 28, 2014. NBH had been beset by falling admissions, reductions in Medicare and Medicaid payments, and investments that had gone sour leaving it more than $30 million in debt. 
 
BMC was able to reopen the ER as an emergency satellite facility and slowly restored and enhanced medical services including outpatient surgery, imaging, dialysis, pharmacy and physician services. 
 
But it would take a slight tweak in the U.S. Health and Human Services' regulations — thank to U.S. Rep. Richie Neal — to bring back inpatient beds and resurrect North Adams Regional Hospital 
 
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