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 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.

 

Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action. 

 

The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.

 

"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.

 

"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature." 

 

Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures. 

 

Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis. 

 

Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.