PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Local officials are reminding the public to avoid social gatherings and parties during this weekend's Super Bowl.

 

"This is an event that many look forward to celebrating, however, we have to remember the tremendous impact of the post-holiday spike. With any spike, there's the real danger of a surge that can last a month or more," said Dr. Alan Kulberg, chair of the city's Board of Health. "Thankfully, we're currently at a point where our public health data looks promising and we really want to stay on this path. We should do all that we can to avoid any potential setbacks to the progress made with the reopening of our schools and local business. So, we're asking folks to forgo celebratory gatherings with individuals outside of their immediate household."

 

Recently, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidelines on celebrations and watch parties, noting the high risk around large gatherings.

 

Pittsfield's current positivity rate stands at 2.86 percent, a decrease which takes the city out of red and into the yellow category on the state's COVID-19 map.

 

In her State of the City address on Monday, Mayor Linda Tyer noted the encouraging trend and advised residents to stay the course.

 

"It's going to take everything in our collective and growing toolbox – continued adherence to safety protocols, testing, contact tracing, quarantining, and vaccinations – to stay in the fight," she said.

 

For more information, visit cdc.gov.