Here's where you can get a COVID-19 test on the South Shore
Below is a list of places that offer COVID-19 testing on the South Shore and surrounding communities, including Brockton.
Walgreens offers free testing, as do five other test sites on the South Shore. Insurance should cover the cost of testing for anyone with symptoms, but there is no guarantee.
Many pharmacies offering testing are booked out weeks in advance.
There are two free "Stop the Spread" testing sites, one in Randolph and one in Brockton, which operate five days a week, but expect long lines during the holiday season and into the new year.
Quincy and Weymouth both offer free testing once a week through Manet Community Health Center. Marshfield offers free testing on Tuesdays and Thursdays to town residents.
Hanover offers free testing, every day, to town residents.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
People have reported a range of mild to severe symptoms, which may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus. According to the Centers for Disease Control, symptoms include: cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fever, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, and/or a sudden loss of taste or smell. Other less common symptoms have been reported, including nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
One should seek emergency care if they have trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, bluish lips or face, or inability to wake or stay awake.
Should I get tested for COVID-19?
If you develop symptoms, even mild, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health recommends scheduling a test. They also recommend getting tested if you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and recognize asymptomatic individuals as eligible for testing.
According to the department, testing for symptomatic people and close contacts is free and covered by insurance and there should be no out-of-pocket costs for testing if you are a member of a fully-insured health benefit plan regulated by the state’s Division of Insurance, but there is no guarantee.
What should I do if I test positive or have been exposed to COVID-19?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has cut the amount of time it recommends people should isolate after testing positive for the coronavirus, reducing the number of days from 10 to five.
Read the CDC statement: CDC shortens quarantine time to 5 days
Health officials similarly reduced the amount of time a person should quarantine after coming into contact with someone who tests positive.
The changes come amid a surge in cases spurred by the omicron variant and concerns about staffing shortages at hospitals, airlines and businesses across the country. Research has suggested omicron, while more infectious, causes milder illness. CDC officials say the new guidance is in keeping with growing evidence that people with the coronavirus are most infectious in the two days before and three days after symptoms develop.
More: CDC cuts isolation time for Americans who test positive from 10 days to 5. Latest COVID-19 updates
The CDC is now recommending those who are vaccinated and received a booster shot can skip quarantining if they wear a face mask for at least 10 days. If a person is vaccinated and has not gotten a booster, or if they are partly vaccinated or not vaccinated at all, the CDC recommends a five-day quarantine, then wearing a mask in public for an additional five days.
Where to get tested for COVID-19
Below is a list of everywhere to get tested on the South Shore, as of December 2021. Please email updates or missing sites to reporter Wheeler Cowperthwaite at wcowperthwaite@patriotledger.com.
Abington
Health Express on Bedford Street
Date and time: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday
Appointment: Yes, 781-626-5700 or website
Location: 330 Washington St.
Cost: $180 for uninsured/asymptomatic
Eligibility: Unlisted
Contact: 781-626-5160 or website
Braintree
AFC Urgent Care on Granite Street
Date and time: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday
Appointment: Yes, online
Location: 405 Lincoln St.
Cost: $160 without insurance/asymptomatic
Eligibility: None
Contact: 781-848-2273
CVS on Washington Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, through MinuteClinic.com
Location: 178 Washington St.
Cost: Unlisted
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
Health Express on Grove Street
Date and time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday
Appointment: Yes, 781-626-5320 or website
Location: 310 Grove St.
Cost: $180 for uninsured/asymptomatic
Eligibility: Unlisted
Contact: 781-626-5320 or website
Bridgewater
CVS on Summer Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, through MinuteClinic.com
Location: 19 Summer St.
Cost: Unlisted
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
Date and time: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sunday
Appointment: Yes
Location: 233 Broad St.
Cost: $170-$220 for uninsured/asymptomatic
Eligibility: None
Contact: 508-807-5265 or website
Brockton
Stop the Spread site- Massasoit Community College
Date and time: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 7 to 11 a.m.; Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, 2 to 7 p.m.
Appointment: None; can pre-register
Location: Drive-thru, 1 Massasoit Blvd.
Cost: Free
Eligibility: State residents
CVS on Centre Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, through MinuteClinic.com
Location: 355 Centre St.
Cost: Unlisted
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
CVS on Belmont Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, through MinuteClinic.com
Location: 555 Belmont St.
Cost: Unlisted
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
CVS on North Pearl Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, through MinuteClinic.com
Location: 316 N. Pearl St.
Cost: Unlisted
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
Walgreens on Pleasant Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, visit website
Location: 610 Pleasant St.
Cost: Free
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
Walgreens on Centre Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, visit website
Location: 771 Centre St.
Cost: Free
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, visit website, or call 508-583-1400
Location: 1340 Belmont St.
Cost: Unlisted
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
Canton
Walgreens on Washington Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, visit website
Location: 595 Washington St.
Cost: Free
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
Carver
CVS on North Main St.
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, through MinuteClinic.com
Location: 100D North Main St.
Cost: Unlisted
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
Cohasset
Walgreens on Chief Justice Cushing Highway
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, visit website
Location: 735 Chief Justice Cushing Highway
Cost: Free
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
Duxbury
Walgreens on Depot Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, visit website
Location: 28 Depot St.
Cost: Free
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
East Bridgewater
Date and time: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
Appointment: Yes
Location: 1 Compass Way
Cost: Unlisted
Eligibility: Referral required
Contact: 508-350-2818 or website
Hanover
Free Mobile Integrated Health testing site
Date and time: Daily, 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Appointment: By appointment online
Location: Sylvester School building, 495 Hanover St.
Cost: Free for Hanover residents. PCR tests
Eligibility: Hanover residents, if meet testing criteria
Contact: Website
CVS on Rockland Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, through MinuteClinic.com
Location: 207 Rockland St.
Cost: Unlisted
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
Hingham
CVS on Lincoln Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, through MinuteClinic.com
Location: 405 Lincoln St.
Cost: Unlisted
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
Regional testing site on Lincoln Street
Date and time: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, starting on Jan. 12
Appointment: Yes, through website
Location: 335 Lincoln St.
Type: drive-through
Cost: $149 for rapid tests, $75 for antibody tests and unlisted price for PCR tests
Eligibility: Anyone, with priority for Hingham, Hull, Scituate or Cohasset residents, employees
Contact: Website
Holbrook
CVS on South Franklin Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, through MinuteClinic.com
Location: 842 South Franklin St.
Cost: Unlisted
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
CVS on North Franklin Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, through MinuteClinic.com
Location: 480 North Franklin St.
Cost: Unlisted
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
Kingston
CVS on Summer Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, through MinuteClinic.com
Location: 189 Summer St.
Cost: Unlisted
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
Health Express on Summer Street
Date and time: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sunday
Appointment: Yes, 781-626-5340 or website
Location: 182 Summer St.
Cost: $180 for uninsured/asymptomatic
Eligibility: Unlisted
Contact: 781-626-5340 or website
Marshfield
Free municipal testing at Marshfield Fairgrounds
Date and time: Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Appointment: Yes, online at marshfieldcares.com
Location: 61 South River St., Gate "E"
Cost: Free, see testing eligibility
Eligibility: Symptomatic, close contact, referred or involved in higher-risk activities (travel, crowded settings)
Contact: Website
CVS on Ocean Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, through MinuteClinic.com
Location: 1880 Ocean St.
Cost: Unlisted
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
Walgreens on Ocean Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, visit website
Location: 2177 Ocean St.
Cost: Free
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
Milton
Free municipal testing on Jan. 2, 9, 2022
Date and time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Jan. 2 and 9, 2022
Appointment: None
Location: Drive-through, Department of Public Works Yard, 629 Randolph Ave. (Route 28.)
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Milton residents/those who work in Milton
Norwell
Date and time: Daily, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Appointment: Yes, online or 800-659-5411
Location: 42 Washington St.
Cost: $105-$210 for uninsured/asymptomatic
Eligibility: None
Contact: 800-659-5411
CVS on Washington Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, through MinuteClinic.com
Location: 104 Washington St.
Cost: Unlisted
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
Pembroke
Convenient MD on Sandwich Street
Date and time: Daily, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: 275 Sandwich St.
Cost: Unlisted
Eligibility: Unlisted
Contact: 339-244-3033
CVS on Center Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, through MinuteClinic.com
Location: 155 Center St.
Cost: Unlisted
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
Health Express on Old Church Street
Date and time: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sunday
Appointment: Yes, 781-626-5170 or website
Location: 117 Old Church St.
Cost: $180 for uninsured/asymptomatic
Eligibility: Unlisted
Contact: 781-626-5170 or website
Plymouth
Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Plymouth Drive-Thru
Date and time: Monday-Wednesday, Friday, 9 to 10:30 a.m.
Appointment: Yes, and referral
Location: 275 Sandwich St.
Cost: Unlisted
Eligibility: Referral
Contact: 508-746-2000
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, through MinuteClinic.com
Location: 330 Court St.
Cost: Unlisted
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
Health Express on Long Pond Road
Date and time: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sunday
Appointment: Yes, 781-626-5180 or website
Location: 61 Long Pond Road
Cost: $180 for uninsured/asymptomatic
Eligibility: Unlisted
Contact: 781-626-5180 or website
Walgreens on Samoset Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, visit website
Location: 165 Samoset St.
Cost: Free
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
Quincy
Free municipal testing on Old Colony Avenue
Date and time: 1 to 4 p.m., Tuesdays
Appointment: None
Location: 180 Old Colony Ave.
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Quincy residents
Convenient MD on Washington Street
Date and time: Daily, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: 479 Washington St.
Cost: Unlisted
Eligibility: Unlisted
Contact: 857-529-5220 or website
North Quincy Manet Community Health Center
Date and time: Monday Friday, 1 to 4 p.m.
Appointment: Yes
Location: 110 West Squantum St.
Cost: Unlisted
Eligibility: Suspected to have COVID-19
Contact: 617-376-3000 or website
CVS on Quincy Shore Drive
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, through MinuteClinic.com
Location: 321 Quincy Shore Drive
Cost: Unlisted
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
CVS on Southern Artery
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, through MinuteClinic.com
Location: 626 Southern Artery
Cost: Unlisted
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
Walgreens on Quincy Avenue
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, visit website
Location: 418 Quincy Ave.
Cost: Free
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
Health Express on Parkingway
Date and time: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sunday
Appointment: Yes, 781-626-5900 or website
Location: 119 Parkingway
Cost: $180 for uninsured/asymptomatic
Eligibility: Unlisted
Contact: 781-626-5900 or website
Randolph
Stop the spread site - Randolph InterGenerational Center
Date and time: Monday through Friday, 2 to 6 p.m., Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Appointment: None
Location: Drive-thru, Randolph InterGenerational Center, 240 North St.
Cost: Free
Eligibility: State residents
Contact: 844-422-8253
Walgreens on Main Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, visit website
Location: 170 N. Main St.
Cost: Free
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
Rockland
Walgreens on Market Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, visit website
Location: 75 Market St.
Cost: Free
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
Stoughton
Care Central Urgent Care on Washington Street
Date and time: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., weekends
Appointment: Yes, call 781-341-2800 or online
Location: 286 Washington St.
Cost: $170-$220 for uninsured/asymptomatic
Eligibility: Symptomatic per CDC and state guidelines
Contact: 781-341-2800
Walgreens on Washington Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, visit website
Location: 413 Washington St.
Cost: Free
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
West Bridgewater
CVS on West Center Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, through MinuteClinic.com
Location: 2 West Center St.
Cost: Unlisted
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
Weymouth
Free Weymouth municipal testing for residents, employees
Date and time: Mondays, 2 to 6 p.m.
Location: Elks Lodge, 1197 Washington Street
Cost: Free
Eligibility: Weymouth residents and workers
Contact: 617-376-3000
CVS on Bridge Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, through MinuteClinic.com
Location: 737 Bridge St.
Cost: Unlisted
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
CVS on Main Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, through MinuteClinic.com
Location: 1504 Main St.
Cost: Unlisted
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
CVS on Commercial Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, through MinuteClinic.com
Location: 750 Commercial St.
Cost: Unlisted
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
Date and time: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., daily
Appointment: Yes, website
Location: 987 Main St.
Cost: Unlisted
Eligibility: Unlisted
Contact: 781-927-3000 or website
Walgreens on Washington Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, visit website
Location: 750 Washington St.
Cost: Free
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
Walgreens on Main Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, visit website
Location: 969 Main St.
Cost: Free
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
Health Express on Washington Street
Date and time: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sunday
Appointment: Yes, 781-626-5160 or website
Location: 330 Washington St.
Cost: $180 for uninsured/asymptomatic
Eligibility: Unlisted
Contact: 781-626-5160 or website
Whitman
CVS on Bedford Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, through MinuteClinic.com
Location: 351 Bedford St.
Cost: Unlisted
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
Walgreens on Bedford Street
Date and time: By appointment only
Appointment: Yes, visit website
Location: 392 Bedford St.
Cost: Free
Eligibility: None
Contact: Website
Is there a site or community missing, or has a testing site stopped operation? Email updates and requests to reporter Wheeler Cowperthwaite at wcowperthwaite@patriotledger.com.
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Free COVID-19 tests available on South Shore at Stop the Spread sites
