Distribution of more than 2 million free rapid, at-home COVID-19 tests began Tuesday in more than 100 Massachusetts cities and towns.The free tests are being given out in 102 communities that have the highest proportion of families living below the Federal Poverty Level. The materials will be distributed in packs that contain two tests. All 20 of the commonwealth’s most disproportionately impacted equity communities were included by these criteria. In total, the 102 municipalities account for nearly 3.7 million Massachusetts residents.Teams from the Massachusetts National Guard and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency are helping deliver the 2.1 million iHealth rapid antigen COVID-19 test kits to towns. Local officials will then determine the best strategy to distribute the tests to their residents, Gov. Charlie Baker said.A shipment of tests was dropped off at the Department of Public Works in Chelsea, which is one of the communities receiving the free tests. The National Guard unloaded 174 cases that contain more than 31,000 tests for Chelsea residents.”We were activated by part of the task force of the commonwealth. As of today we’re delivering COVID tests all across towns and communities in need,” National Guard Staff Sgt. Colin Roberts said. “Part of the objective here is to make these available to many folks who don’t necessarily have the financial wherewithal to do it and to make them available so they can use them for gatherings of one kind or another,” Baker said. “Let’s face it, this time of year there are a lot of those kinds of activities, and I think what we’re trying to do is to make it one more tool in the toolbox that can be used to make those events as safe as possible.” The 2.1 million tests cost $10 million in state-appropriated funds, which are to be reimbursed from FEMA.Info: Towns receiving free test kitsThe state is also negotiating with rapid test kit manufacturers to allow cities and towns to purchase additional tests at a lower cost. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said last week that people should consider using a rapid self-test before joining any indoor gatherings with people outside of their immediate household.
Distribution of more than 2 million free rapid, at-home COVID-19 tests began Tuesday in more than 100 Massachusetts cities and towns.
The free tests are being given out in 102 communities that have the highest proportion of families living below the Federal Poverty Level. The materials will be distributed in packs that contain two tests.
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All 20 of the commonwealth’s most disproportionately impacted equity communities were included by these criteria. In total, the 102 municipalities account for nearly 3.7 million Massachusetts residents.
Teams from the Massachusetts National Guard and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency are helping deliver the 2.1 million iHealth rapid antigen COVID-19 test kits to towns. Local officials will then determine the best strategy to distribute the tests to their residents, Gov. Charlie Baker said.
A shipment of tests was dropped off at the Department of Public Works in Chelsea, which is one of the communities receiving the free tests. The National Guard unloaded 174 cases that contain more than 31,000 tests for Chelsea residents.
“We were activated by part of the task force of the commonwealth. As of today we’re delivering COVID tests all across towns and communities in need,” National Guard Staff Sgt. Colin Roberts said.
“Part of the objective here is to make these available to many folks who don’t necessarily have the financial wherewithal to do it and to make them available so they can use them for gatherings of one kind or another,” Baker said. “Let’s face it, this time of year there are a lot of those kinds of activities, and I think what we’re trying to do is to make it one more tool in the toolbox that can be used to make those events as safe as possible.”
The 2.1 million tests cost $10 million in state-appropriated funds, which are to be reimbursed from FEMA.
Info: Towns receiving free test kits
The state is also negotiating with rapid test kit manufacturers to allow cities and towns to purchase additional tests at a lower cost.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said last week that people should consider using a rapid self-test before joining any indoor gatherings with people outside of their immediate household.