THIS SITE LAST UPDATED - September 24, 2020
BERKSHIRE HEALTH SYSTEMS HAS ESTABLISHED A TOLL-FREE HOTLINE FOR QUESTIONS REGARDING THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19). IT IS OPEN FROM 8 AM TO 4:30 PM SEVEN DAYS A WEEK - CALL 855-BMC-LINK, OR 855-262-5465
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS & SERVICES ARE NOW FULLY OPEN AND READY TO SERVE YOUR HEALTHCARE NEEDS, WITH BOTH IN-PERSON AND TELEHEALTH VISITS FOR HOSPITAL SERVICES AND ALL OF OUR PHYSICIAN PRACTICES
Below are statistics from Berkshire Medical Center & Fairview Hospital on COVID-19 in Berkshire County, which will be updated regularly. The testing numbers include inpatient, Emergency Department and drive-thru testing.
UPDATED VISITATION POLICIES FOR BERKSHIRE HEALTH SYSTEMS
On June 10, 2020, Berkshire Health Systems issued new Visitation Policies based on guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The updated policies are:
REOPENING OF THE MASSACHUSETTS ECONOMY
Governor Charles Baker has established a four-phase approach on reopening the Massachusetts economy, based on public health guidance - more information can be found here.
As part of the phased approach, Berkshire Medical Center and Fairview Hospital are required to submit documented Programs and Services Attestations to the State Department of Public Health on achieving of benchmarks related to the reopening phases prior to moving forward with restoration of services and procedures. The Attestations can be viewed below.
This site contains information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), both of which are maintaining a continuous monitoring of this new form of coronavirus and will update their requirements and recommendation as new information is learned about the nature and consequence of this new virus strain. We will stay in close contact with those federal and state agencies and update this website on a regular basis.
The Massachusetts Attorney General's office has also developed a website for Frontline Workers, containing information and resources, which can be viewed here.
WE URGE YOU TO CHECK BACK ON THIS WEBSITE REGULARLY FOR NEW INFORMATION ABOUT THE VIRUS AND DEFENSES AGAINST IT. -
BHS continues to operate a toll-free hotline for questions and concerns surrounding COVID-19, which is available seven days a week from 8 am to 4:30 pm, and is at 855-262-5465.
Background
Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that have been in our environment for a very long time; some versions of this virus cause illnesses in people that range from mild to severe to potentially fatal. You are probably familiar with these viruses because human coronaviruses cause routine seasonal respiratory virus infections, including the common cold and bronchitis.
A new variation of this virus, known as 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a respiratory virus that was first identified in late December and has since spread to many countries around the globe, including the US. This virus variation has resulted in tens of thousands of confirmed human infections. The CDC has reported that, as of September 24, 2020, all 50 states, the District of Columbia and several US territories have reported a total of 6,916,292 cases of COVID-19 and 201,411 deaths have been attributed to the virus. The Massachusetts DPH has, as of September 24, 2020, reported 126,863 confirmed COVID-19 cases statewide and 9,150 confirmed COVID-19 deaths.
Berkshire County
As of September 24, 2020, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health reports that there are 705 confirmed cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and 49 deaths in Berkshire County. Note: these numbers from the DPH have varied from those compiled by Berkshire Health Systems.
Berkshire Medical Center and Fairview Hospital are fully open and serving the community, as are our physician practices and Berkshire Visiting Nurse Association. Please do not put off required care, especially emergency care or care for a chronic illness. If you or a loved one experiences heart attack or stroke symptoms, or any other serious illness, please go to the Emergency Department or call 9-1-1. Our physician offices are also seeing patients in-person or by telehealth and have appropriate social distancing and safety measures in our offices and waiting areas.
For information on the Long Term Care facilities of Berkshire Healthcare, visit their Coronavirus Website.
How does coronavirus spread?
The CDC and World Health Organization are working to determine the source of the COVID-19. As with similar viruses, this virus may be spread through droplets of fluid that a person coughs or sneezes into the air. It may be spread if an individual touches a surface with the virus on it, such as a doorknob, railing or handle, and then touches his or her mouth, nose or eyes. Information from CDC and MDPH about the exact nature of how COVID-19 spreads is still evolving.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
COVID-19, like other coronaviruses, causes a respiratory (lung) infection. Symptoms of this infection include:
While most people recover from this kind of infection, some infections can lead to severe disease or even death. Older people and those with pre-existing medical problems, such as diabetes, cancer or other conditions that weaken the immune system, seem to have a greater risk for severe disease. So far, children and healthy adults appear to be at less risk of severe complications.
What are the treatments? Is there a vaccine?
No antiviral treatment for COVID-19 currently exists that is known to be effective. However, supportive care to relieve flu symptoms generally may help relieve symptoms of COVID-19 as well. These include: rest, drinking lots of fluids, eating a light diet, staying at home and taking fever reducers and muscle ache relievers such as acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol). There is no vaccine now available to protect people from infection by COVID-19 and, given the time for development, there is not likely to be one soon. Antibiotics are not effective against COVID-19 or other viruses.
How can I protect myself and others?
Although risk in the United States from COVID-19 is currently low because of the relatively small number of people in the United States at this time who are known to have the disease, the same precautions to help prevent colds and the flu can help protect against other respiratory viruses like COVID-19, including:
Should I wear a mask when I go out in public?
The Governor's office has mandated that masks must be worn in public places in Massachusetts, including retail establishments and any other location where individuals may congregate, and in these locations social distancing must also be followed.
How do you test a person for COVID-19?
Testing for COVID-19 was initally only available through a limited number of authorized sites in the country, but more recently commercial laboratories are receiving specimens and conducting tests, and BHS has the capability, while limited, to conduct rapid testing, but this is based on the supply chain for those test kits. We also conduct drive-thru testing at Berkshire Medical Center, but this is also limited based on testing supplies, and a provider order is required, along with an appointment, which the provider can make through the call line. Testing is provided, by physician order and appointment, at BMC, the North Adams Campus of BMC, and near Fairview Hospital (10 Maple Avenue, Great Barrington) for patients who are undergoing a potential surgical procedure that had been postponed during the pandemic and is now more emergent.
What should I do if I have visited a place where COVID-19 has emerged or if I had close contact with someone who has it?
If you have been in a place where there are known occurrences of COVID-19 or you have had close contact with someone who has the virus, you should call you primary care provider for advice about whether you should partially or completely avoid contact with other people, depending on the likelihood of your meaningful exposure to individuals who are ill with the disease. You should also monitor your health for 14 days after your last possible exposure or your experience of any symptoms of flu-like conditions.
Watch for these signs and symptoms:
Where can I learn more about the 2019 Novel Coronavirus?
The Federal Centers for Disease Control and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has continually updated information on the COVID-19.
© 2020 Berkshire Health Systems
725 North Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
