MCLA gifts unused COVID-19 tests to North Adams Public Schools

NORTH ADAMS — This pandemic holiday season, the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is giving North Adams teachers a particularly valuable gift: COVID-19 tests.

North Adams Public Schools will host an asymptomatic testing clinic for staff on Monday, using up to 150 test kits donated by the college.

The donation comes as in-person learning winds down at the college and students head home. MCLA told The Eagle that the tests are extras that were not used by the college during the fall. MCLA President James F. Birge gave credit to students, faculty and staff at the college.

"Because of their efforts, the college was able to maintain a low positivity rate that now puts us in a position to be able to help our neighbors," he said in a statement Friday.