Census Efforts Stricken By Virus Outbreak

While Berkshire Health Systems gets rolling with faster coronavirus testing, field operations for the county's census were suspended Wednesday, which could result in losses in money and representation in the Berkshires.

Much of the county's population tends to respond better to face-to-face contact with census workers, according to Mark Malloy, a planner with the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission who is spearheading the local census.

While census work continues online, he said, much of the work paused for at least two weeks in order to inhibit the spread of coronavirus.

The number of Berkshire residents to test positive for the new coronavirus rose to 17 on Wednesday, according to the state's Health Department.

The Berkshire Eagle has all the details on line.