Williamstown Commons Cases Spike,Lawmaker Rips State

The number of coronavirus cases continues to swell in Williamstown Commons, according to a Berkshire lawmaker who slammed the state Department of Public Health for not making the outbreak at the nursing home a priority.

State Rep. John Barrett III, D-North Adams, said Friday that there has been an increase of 14 positive tests since Thursday, when 36 residents were positive for the coronavirus. So far, three residents have died.

A spokeswoman for Berkshire Healthcare Systems could not be reached to confirm the new figures, and it was not known how many of the new cases were staff or residents.

Read more on this and other stories on the Berkshire Eagle.com.