State Announces Downsizing Of “Stop The Spread” COVID-19 Testing Program. Amherst And Holyoke Sites To Close On April 1

Source: mass.gov

Due to a significant decline in demand at state sponsored Stop the Spread (STS) testing sites and the wide availability of rapid antigen tests, the Baker-Polito Administration announced on March 4 that several sites in the State’s STS testing program, including those in Amherst and Holyoke, would be closed as of April 1, 2022.  As of that date, the program will downsize to 11 active sites statewide.. Over the past two months, STS sites have seen a rapid decline in volume across locations, with an 80% decrease in volume since the beginning of January. Among those testing sites slated to be shut down are STS locations at UMass Amherst and Holyoke Community College.

At the same time, Massachusetts has continued to see encouraging trends in COVID-19 metrics.  As of March 1, the Massachusetts seven-day average of cases reported is down 96% from its peak in January of this year and the overall positivity rate is less than 2%.

The STS testing initiative was created by the Baker-Polito Administration in the earliest days of the pandemic to respond rapidly to the significant surge in COVID-19 positive cases and ensure access to free COVID-19 testing at a time when there were very few testing options. Since the start of STS in July 2020, this first-in-the-nation free testing program has provided over 4 million tests to residents of the Commonwealth at 41 locations.

Legislators representing Hampshire, Franklin and Berkshire country have appealed the administration’s decision to close local STS sites noting that students are about to return to campuses from spring break.  They requested that the operation of these sites be extended until June 1, when the colleges and universities will no longer be in session.  Locally the appeal was supported in letters from Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman and Amherst Town Council President Lynn Griesemer.

As of April 1, 2022, these  STS sites will continue to offer PCR testing.  These tests will remain free to any Massachusetts resident, with no insurance or ID necessary.

• Everett
• Framingham
• Lawrence (2 locations)
• Lynn
• New Bedford
• Randolph
• Revere
• Springfield (2 locations)
• Worcester

The locations that will remain open were selected based on demonstrated need, volume of daily testing, and geographic equity. From January 20- February 16, 2022, these 11 sites accounted for nearly 72% of all STS testing volume. These sites will continue through at least May 15, 2022.

There are over 450 locations across the Commonwealth for residents to get tested for COVID-19, and residents can visit www.mass.gov/gettested to find a location near them. Additionally, residents of the Commonwealth can access COVID-19 Rapid antigen at-home test kits from hundreds of locations including over-the-counter at local pharmacies, such as CVS or Walgreens, and through other retailers such as Amazon or Walmart. Tests may also be distributed through employers, municipal programs, school districts and other community partners. 

COVID-19 rapid antigen at-home tests are now also covered by insurance, as required by the federal government. Health Insurance companies will cover eight over-the-counter at-home tests per covered individual per month. MassHealth members are included. The federal government has also made at-home rapid tests available to all residents through a web-based platform. These rapid antigen at-home tests can be ordered from the  COVID Home Tests | USPS

The administration recently announced the purchase of 26 million COVID-19 at-home Rapid Antigen tests. Municipalities that will transition from state sponsored STS testing locations will receive an allocation of these tests based on STS volumes over two weeks in February. Supply is intended to provide a month’s bridge during this transition, with each municipality receiving a minimum of 1,080 tests. The tests will be distributed by March 31.

For additional reporting on the closing of STS sites look here and here.