The city of Pittsfield is suspending table service at city restaurants starting Friday amid a spike in COVID-19 cases. The city school district is also transitioning to all-remote learning through December 4.
City restaurants can still offer takeout and delivery service. The city says it is now at high-risk for COVID-19 and therefore is placing additional restrictions on gyms, performance venues and gatherings.
The western Massachusetts city says there have been 169 confirmed cases since October 22 mostly tied to gatherings at restaurants and at private homes.
The seven-day average positive test rate for COVID-19 is at 2.9 percent in Massachusetts. The state Department of Public Health confirmed nearly 2,500 new cases Thursday, bringing its active caseload to more than 26,000. Roughly 660 people are hospitalized for the virus in the commonwealth and 21 COVID-19 deaths were reported Thursday.