Get our free mobile app

The COVID-19 infection rate in Berkshire County is in an uptick up to 1.34 as of Wednesday, according to the nonprofit monitor COVIDACTNOW.ORG.

The number of active cases in Pittsfield is 345, up from 209 a week ago.As far as the state of Massachusetts goes, newly confirmed cases are rising.

Berkshire County, Massachusetts (MA) - COVID Vaccine & Risk Tracker Covidactnow.org
Berkshire County, Massachusetts (MA) - COVID Vaccine & Risk Tracker Covidactnow.org
loading...

The Department of Public Health reported 1,865 new cases Wednesday, up from the seven-day average of 1,292. There are about 2,000 more active cases in Massachusetts than a week ago. The seven-day average positive test rate rose Wednesday from 2.2 percent to 2.23 percent.

covidactnow.org
loading...

covidactnow.org[/caption]

With that being said there seems also to be an uptick in area schools reporting Covid-19 cases, including an outbreak in the Flagg Townhouse apartments of MCLA. On Tuesday, MCLA's vice president for strategic initiatives informed the campus community that the residence halls had been the source of eight positive COVID-19 tests over the last 10 days. 

I am wondering if is a good idea to send kids back to elementary on April 5th and middle school on April 28th within the North Adams Public School District, no dates have been set for high schoolers.

Late Wednesday, it was reported by the Berkshire Eagle reported that the number climbed to 13 and that the college was restricting 242 residents of Flagg to their residences and suspending all intercollegiate athletics.

kelly-sikkemaunsplash
kelly-sikkemaunsplash
loading...

All students in the complex will be tested for the novel coronavirus One school official credited students' social behavior with causing the uptick in positive tests.

There has also been a covid count that is showing the effects of covid in elementary, middle & High Schools in the Berkshires. According to a district summary, there are 15 students currently in the district testing positive along with two staff members also being infected.

The Board of Health alerted officials about the case at PHS on Wednesday afternoon. Anyone who had contact with the student, who was last in a classroom Friday, will be notified by health officials or the district.

One student is listed as a current case at each of the following schools: Allendale Elementary, Capeless Elementary, Egremont Elementary, Williams Elementary, Herberg Middle, Reid Middle and PHS. Three students are active cases at Morningside Community School and five students are active cases at Taconic High School.

The district reports two staff cases, one at Reid and one at PHS.

LOOK: Answers to 30 common COVID-19 vaccine questions

While much is still unknown about the coronavirus and the future, what is known is that the currently available vaccines have gone through all three trial phases and are safe and effective. It will be necessary for as many Americans as possible to be vaccinated in order to finally return to some level of pre-pandemic normalcy, and hopefully these 30 answers provided here will help readers get vaccinated as soon they are able.

More From WUPE