Berkshire Health Systems Expands Visitation

04:17PM / Tuesday, March 01, 2022Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — As the infection rate of COVID-19 in the Berkshires continues to decline, Berkshire Health Systems has expanded Visitation for Berkshire Medical Center, Fairview Hospital and BMC and Fairview Physician Practices, effective Tuesday, March 1, 2022.

In most cases, except for the Emergency Departments and Critical Care Units, the new Visitation Guidelines allow for two visitors. The detailed policy can be found online at www.berkshirehealthsystems.org/visitor-guidelines.

"We are pleased to announce that BHS is taking cautious steps to reopen our facilities to the public," said Dr. James Lederer, BHS Chief Medical Officer/Chief Quality Officer. "Our goal is to ensure the safety of each of our patients, while also enabling increased access to the healthcare programs and services that our community members need. As always, we will carefully adhere to guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)."

For the non-Critical Care Units, including Medical/Surgical Units, two visitors are allowed with adult non-COVID-19 patients. For adult COVID-19 patients in non-critical care units, no visitation is allowed unless a designated exception applies, and video visits will be made available. Patients in Critical Care with COVID-19 are permitted two care partner/visitors per day viewing through a window for up to 30 minutes and video visits can be arranged.

For non-COVID-19 pediatric patients, two parents/guardians/care partners are allowed, and for COVID-19 pediatric patients, one parent/guardian/care partner is permitted.

In the BMC and Fairview Emergency Departments and the Satellite Emergency Facility at the North Adams Campus of BMC, one care partner at a time can stay with the adult patient if there is no COVID-19 diagnosis and for pediatric patients, two parents/guardians or care partners can stay with the patient. For those with a COVID-19 diagnosis, no care partners allowed for adult patients unless there is a designated exception, and for children with a COVID diagnosis, two parents/guardians or care partners are allowed at all times.

In the Family Birthplace at BMC and Fairview, one designated birth partner is allowed at all times and two siblings are allowed, escorted by a birth partner, between 3 and 8 pm. If the expectant mother has COVID-19, the designated birth partner may stay in the patient's room.

There are no visitors allowed in the Behavioral Health units unless there is a designated exception. A family meeting can be arranged with a behavioral health provider and video visits can be arranged.

Non-COVID-19 patients coming to the hospital for outpatient testing and services can have one care partner accompany them. Those with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis or test should contact their provider to determine if an in-person visit is recommended, and if so, no one may accompany the patient to the office or testing/service location. These guidelines also apply to physician practices, the BMC Cancer & Infusion Center and other ambulatory services.

For more information, including a list of designated exceptions, visit www.berkshirehealthsystems.org/visitor-guidelines

Tags: BHS, BMC,

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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

12:05PM / Wednesday, December 24, 2025

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.

This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.

The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.

DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.

"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths.

"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."

Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.

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