2M At-Home COVID Tests Coming To Hardest-Hit MA Towns
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MASSACHUSETTS — The state will distribute 2 million rapid at-home tests to the 102 communities hit the hardest by COVID-19, Gov. Charlie Baker announced Monday.
The tests are the start of a large-scale bulk purchasing agreement Baker's administration is finalizing. This initial round is expected to reach about 3.7 million Massachusetts residents.
"We are already a national leader on COVID testing and this will build on that," Baker said at a press conference. "[It is] potentially a game changer as we continue to battle COVID here in the Commonwealth."
Marylou Sudders, secretary of Health and Human Services, said the tests cost about $10 million, for which the state will seek FEMA reimbursement. The tests will start going out on Tuesday and will likely take about 4-5 days to reach all communities.
Baker said the aim is to make tests available to lower-income areas, where people may struggle to get tested. There will be some broad parameters to the program, but the administration wants to let those communities decide the best course for distribution, he said.
Meanwhile, the state has been administering about 100,000 tests daily at its 100 testing sites. In schools, about 70,000-80,000 tests are given out a week, Baker said. Approximately 5 million Massachusetts residents are fully vaccinated, and 6 million have received at least one dose.
Baker called the rapid testing initiative "another tool in the toolbox" ahead of the holiday season. He emphasized the importance of getting vaccinated, but said the state is better equipped to handle a likely uptick in infections over the winter.
He added that there are no plans to bring back a statewide mask mandate.
"Kids are staying in school, our small businesses are open for holiday shopping, families are gathering," Baker said. "COVID isn't going away anytime soon. If you're eligible to get vaccinated, get vaccinated; eligible to get boosted, get boosted."
Click here to see the list of communities receiving rapid tests.
This article originally appeared on the Across Massachusetts Patch
