COVID-19 virus test kits available free for Bourne residents, visitors

Paul Gately
·2 min read
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BUZZARDS BAY — The Mass. Department of Public Health delivered cases of COVID-19 kits to Town Hall Wednesday for residents and visitors seeking to be tested for the highly contagious variants of the virus that are fast moving and have reportedly driven up hospitalization rates.

Bourne Health Agent Terri Guarino said those with worries about waning COVID immunity because they were vaccinated or boosted months ago may secure take-home tests for the Omicron variants of BA.4 and BA.5.

The test kits are available at Town Hall on Perry Avenue, the Community Center foyer at Main Street in Buzzards Bay and Bourne Public Library, Sandwich Road in Bourne Village.

More: DPH reports four new COVID-19 deaths, 66 new cases on Cape & Islands

Health agent warns to be 'vigilant'

In dealing with the always-evolving variants and their unpredictable severity, Guarino urges townspeople to be “vigilant” about their surroundings, especially indoors.

“Be careful if mixing in large gatherings,” she said. “Get tested. These are 15-minute rapid tests. They’re very sensitive.”

COVID-18 test kits are available at Bourne Town Hall on Perry Avenue, show above, the Community Center foyer at Main Street, Buzzards Bay and Bourne Public Library, Sandwich Road, Bourne Village.
COVID-18 test kits are available at Bourne Town Hall on Perry Avenue, show above, the Community Center foyer at Main Street, Buzzards Bay and Bourne Public Library, Sandwich Road, Bourne Village.

Bourne has had 42 cases over two weeks

She said her office has recorded 42 COVID-19 cases over a 14-day period dating back from July 13.

The state’s 14-day positivity rate was 6.04%. Barnstable County came in at 7.02%, and Dukes and Nantucket’s 14-day positivity rate was 16.01%, the highest in the state, the DPH report indicated on July 7.

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As of July 6, Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis was treating 18 patients with coronavirus. There were no patients in intensive care. Falmouth Hospital reported 10 patients, none of whom were in intensive care. There were four patients with coronavirus in Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, but none in the ICU. Nantucket Cottage Hospital listed one patient with coronavirus. That patient was not in the ICU.

In terms of virus messaging, Board of Health Chair Stanley Andrews said there is no need for alarm.

“We’re doing alright on COVID,” he said.

For more on COVID-19 rates and other information go to www.capecod.gov.

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: COVID-19 test kits available at three Bourne locations