Pittsfield Rebounds From COVID Surges in Time for Thanksgiving

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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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.


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Hinsdale OKs Police Department Audit After Fatal Shooting

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

HINSDALE, Mass. — The town has approved $25,000 for an administrative review of the police department, more than two months after police fatally shot 27-year-old Biagio Kauvil during a mental health crisis. 

Town Administrator Robert Graves said the shooting on Jan. 7 is not the only focus of the audit, and it will be several months before the Select Board receives a final report. 

During a special town meeting on March 11, an article appropriating $25,000 from free cash for an independent consultant to conduct a professional evaluation and audit of the Town's Police Department was approved. The audit includes a review of the department's policies, protocols, operations, and procedures, and concludes with a written report. 

"The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office and Massachusetts State Police are investigating the shooting, and we await their conclusions.  As we look to move forward, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, our insurance company (MIIA/Cabot Risk), and our legal counsel have recommended that the town hire an independent law enforcement consultant or firm to conduct a comprehensive administrative review of our police operation," Graves wrote in an email to iBerkshires on Friday. 

"This event is not their focus; they will assess the overall operation. We want a written assessment of our police operation's strengths and weaknesses to help Hinsdale make future changes and improvements." 

He said after completing the procurement process and signing a contract with a reputable consultant or business, it will most likely be several months before the Select Board receives the final report. 

"Still, it will help the town and police department move forward," Graves wrote. 

Last weekend, family and friends of Kauvil stood in Park Square asking for justice. A flier for the standout reads "Biagio was killed by police while experiencing a mental health crisis. Now, over seven weeks later, authorities have not yet provided any updates.

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