Pittsfield COVID Cases Increase After Holiday
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The city is seeing an uptick in COVID-19 cases following the Christmas weekend.
The average daily case rate per 100,000 people is 75.9 and the percent positivity rate is 6.4. Pittsfield has remained in the red incidence rate since November.
On Christmas, the positivity rate was 5.4 and has increased since. A week before the holiday, cases were close to where they are now with a positivity rate of 6.5.
There are currently 234 estimated actively contagious cases in the city and to date, there have been 82 deaths.
There are currently about 23 people hospitalized at Berkshire Medical Center, 3 being in the intensive care unit. On Christmas, there were 17 people in the hospital for COVID and the metric has increased since.
A few days prior on December 22 there were 20 people hospitalized with the virus.
Director of Public Health Andy Cambi told iBerkshires that the COVID-19 task force met briefly about two weeks ago to discuss the iHealth Labs over-the-counter, at-home rapid antigen tests that the city received.
The tests are intended to be distributed to those who may not have the financial means to purchase home tests.
The task force first reconvened before Thanksgiving to discuss the city’s health data that pushed it into the red zone. At the time, Pittsfield was at a 5.1 percent positivity rate, compared to the state's 3.28 percent, and a case rate of 52 per 100,000 people.
Tyer distributed a press release in response to the city reaching a higher risk incidence rate asking residents to participate in the fight against COVID-19 by continuing to wear masks, wash hands, social distance, and be mindful of gatherings with those outside of the household.
She also stressed the importance of keeping schools open.
Earlier that month, the Board of Health voted to implement a mask directive that states that masks should be worn in all publicly accessible indoor spaces in the city unless seated at a table eating food or drinking.
The directive suggests that if not abided by, a stricter directive with fines and license and permit suspensions could follow. The board avoided using the term "mandate" but the language makes clear the directive is not advisory although venue operators are "respectfully" asked to comply.
Currently, 72 percent of the city’s individuals are fully vaccinated and 83 percent have received at least one dose.
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