Pittsfield Rebounds From COVID Surges in Time for Thanksgiving

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city is recovering from the two COVID-19 surges that occurred this fall and is on the low end of the red incidence rate.

"Right now what we're experiencing is the downfall of the two searches that we had this fall," Director of Public Health Andy Cambi reported to the City Council on Tuesday.

Cases are now on the lower end of the "red zone," with 15.9 daily cases per 100,000 and a positivity rate of 5.8 percent on Monday. There are about 30 estimated actively contagious cases in the city.

In mid-October, there were nearly 40 cases per 100,000 and a positivity rate of 13 percent.

To reach the yellow transmission rate, a community must have 10 or more average cases per 100,000 or a positivity rate of 5 percent or higher.

Because these metrics don't include at-home tests, Cambi has indicated that the city's Biobot sewage testing is the truest way to gauge the virus's impact on the community.  


That metric is also showing a downturn, with virus concentration levels at around 507,000 copies per liter, while they were over 2.5 million copies per liter in mid-October.

There are currently about four patients hospitalized at Berkshire Medical Center and none in the intensive care unit.

Cambi reminded the panel of last year's holiday surge that pushed the city into the red zone and said residents should always be thinking about protecting themselves.

Councilor at Large Earl Persip III motioned to discontinue updates until they are needed and all voted in favor except Councilor at Large Peter White.

As the city moves into year three of the pandemic, COVID-19 presentations have become less frequent.  The council had previously voted to decrease presentations from every meeting to once a month.


Tags: COVID-19,   


More Coronavirus Updates

Keep up to date on the latest COVID-19 news:


If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Firefighters Knock Down Morningside Blaze

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Fire Department knocked down a two-alarm blaze in the Morningside neighborhood in less than an hour on Friday. 

Just before 3 p.m., the department received a report of a fire at 25 Pine St. Deputy Fire Chief Daniel Garner said he arrived at the scene first and saw heavy fire showing from the rear of the more than 100-year-old home. 

"We just went to work, pretty much," he explained. 

"Because of the heavy volume of fire and the potential for a high number of occupants, I called a double alarm, which called all available Pittsfield firefighters directly to the scene. And I would say the fire was knocked down and under control within an hour." 

Eight occupants were evacuating the home when firefighters arrived, and there were no civilian or firefighter injuries. People, including the occupants, stood on the sidewalk and watched the scene unfold. 

When iBerkshires arrived, firefighters were on the ladder, extinguishing the top level of the home from the side and rear.  

There were five fire engines and one ladder truck. Hinsdale also came to assist, and Lenox and Dalton were called for standby. 

Garner believes the building is salvageable and repairable, but recognized that the family won't be able to stay there tonight. An extended family appears to live in the home. 

The cause of the fire has not yet been determined; the Fire Investigation Division was on site. The Red Cross will provide assistance to the residents of the home. 

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories