Editor’s note: The following Tri-Town Health Department update was written by Amy Hardt, MPH BSN RN, Lead Public Health Nurse at the Southern Berkshire Public Health Collaborative, and sent out Tuesday, March 15. It has been edited for clarity.

We are happy to report PCR case numbers are still dropping in both Southern Berkshire towns as a group (-8.5% over the previous week), and Berkshire County overall (-30%). PCR test positivity also continues to go down week over week (latest data shows 2.0% of PCR tests were positive in South County as a group, and 1.5% positive in the county overall). It’s unclear why, but the volume of PCR testing went up significantly the first week of March — one possible explanation may be a rise in symptoms of the common cold and other respiratory viruses, which are spread more easily with reduced mask wearing.

The level of COVID-19’s “community impact” tracked by the CDC in its updated County tables also continues to drop. Berkshire County remains in the Green/Low zone for the second week in a row. Along with lower “confirmed” PCR cases and test positivity, we also saw a dramatic reduction in local COVID hospital admissions and the percent of beds occupied by COVID patients.

Current MA state guidance still includes indoor masking for unvaccinated individuals as well as those at high risk for severe COVID outcomes, along with their household members. All must continue to mask in healthcare and public transport facilities at this time.

This week we focus on lessons we can learn from the winter Omicron variant surge. They can help us prepare for whatever may come in the next phase of our lives with COVID-19:

• The primary vaccine series reduces transmission of all variants so far, but this effect wanes over time, even as it continues to protect against hospitalization and death
  • Those who had their booster shot were much less likely to get Omicron than those who were unvaccinated
• Not being vaccinated continues to be the greatest risk factor for hospitalization with COVID, across all age groups
  • This is true, even when previous natural immunity has been acquired, because our individual immune systems are complex and varied in their specific response, and we saw that Delta infection immunity was no match at all for Omicron
  • In addition, elderly vaccinated, and even boosted, individuals with multiple comorbidities unfortunately remained at higher risk for hospitalization and death when they did get Omicron
• Not protecting all of us, affects all of us
  • The primary route of COVID-19 spread across all the variants has continued to be household spread
  • Very young children were shown to be just as able to spread COVID as older ages, even though they had fewer symptoms and lower rates of hospitalization overall
  • Leading theories of where variants most likely develop continue to point to large, unvaccinated populations (such as in lower-resourced countries), and others with impaired immune systems
• New variant surges occur quickly, so we need to be prepared ahead of time
  • Omicron’s path from being identified to becoming dominant over Delta in the U.S. occurred in less than 1 month
  • The need for rapid booster shots during that time outpaced our capacity to provide them, especially for individuals with the least access due to information and logistical challenges. These were also the folks at highest risk for exposure to the virus, or for severe disease outcomes
  • The implementation of appropriate, timely mitigation policies was hindered by public frustration, lack of official coordination across the federal, state ,and local governments, and an overall lack of political will at the end of two very challenging years

There are other lessons as well, but for now, what can we do to be better prepared for another potential variant of concern?

• Get. That. Booster. This is the #1 way to reduce individual and community transmission of COVID-19, and to protect the most vulnerable. This week’s dashboard graphic illustrates how ill-prepared we are in Berkshire County, in this regard
• Keep a supply of at-home tests and be ready to use them whenever new symptoms emerge. This helps reduce potential overwhelm of local testing resources and ensures that those who need PCR tests can get them in a timely manner
  • Insured individuals may request free at-home tests at any pharmacy counter. Depending on specific insurance, there may or may not be an up-front cost, which is reimbursable
  • Those covered by Medicare will soon receive this benefit, but not yet
  • All U.S. residents may request a second allotment of 4 free at-home test kits to be mailed to them by the federal government, through www.covidtests.gov or by dialing 1-800-232-0233
  • Anyone may stop by CHP Family Services, at 442 Stockbridge Rd. in Great Barrington, to request a free at-home test
• Keep a supply of appropriately-fitting KN95 or N95 masks, especially for individuals who are unvaccinated, have major health conditions, or reduced immunity. Anyone living with a person in this category should have a supply of effective masks as well, to reduce the chance of bringing COVID home
• Make the most of this current lull in new COVID cases. It’s a good time to visit with loved ones, travel if you’re able, and just have some carefree fun. Even those who remain at higher risk for severe COVID can take comfort in lower community transmission levels, and use strategies like improving indoor air quality and airflow, avoiding crowds in areas of high spread, and masking indoors as needed — with an effective mask, such as a KN95, N95, or well-fitting cloth mask over a surgical mask

Investing in our community relationships now will pay off later, when there may be a need to pull together again against future COVID-19 or new public challenges.

To support access to effective masks for those who need them most, this week launches a new Mask Access Program in Southern Berkshire. This partnership includes our Southern Berkshire Public Health Collaborative and the Rural Health Network, with support from a Rural Vaccine Equity grant. Higher-risk community members are invited to pick up (5) N95 or KN95 masks and mask guidance information at a variety of locations, including local libraries, community centers, senior centers, low-income housing sites, food pantries, and more. We are also working with families in the local school system to offer tailored mask guidance and practical support in securing youth KN95 masks to help certain students reduce their own and their loved ones’ risk for severe COVID outcomes.

Image courtesy Tri-Town Health Department

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