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Mass. Buys Millions of Tests, Changes Isolation Protocols

By Tom Marino | January 11, 2022
Last Updated: January 11, 2022

Governor Charlie Baker announced on Tuesday, January 11, that Massachusetts secured 26 million rapid antigen tests with distribution prioritized for and K-12 education and childcare. Baker also announced activation of 500 additional members of the Massachusetts National Guard to support healthcare institutions across the state.

Along with Baker’s announcements, the Department of Public Health [DPH] issued updated guidance on when it recommends testing, requirements to return from isolation, and quarantine protocols.

State Purchases 26 Million Tests from iHealth Labs

Baker announced Massachusetts secured an order for 26 million rapid antigen tests from California based iHealth Labs. The 1.2 million tests purchased by the state in December were from the same supplier.

January 11, 2022 Governor Charlie Baker

State distribution of the tests in December prioritized 102 municipalities with the highest rate of poverty. Baker said distribution of the 26 million tests announced today will prioritize for childcare facilities and K-12 education.

Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders said the state is working toward ensuring adequate testing capability for schools and early education and care through the rest of the school year.

The agreement schedules delivery over the course of the next three months, but Baker warned that the timing and shipment amounts will vary depending on international shipping and production variables. While the agreement should secure a supply of tests into late March, the priority is an adequate supply to schools to ensure students complete a full schools year.

“We should be doing everything we can to ensure kids get that 180 days of in-person learning,” said Baker. “It’s critically important, not just to their educational development, but to their development, period.”

Changes in Testing and Isolation Protocols

The Department of Public Health issued a new public health advisory, providing guidance on testing, saying that individuals should seek testing in two scenarios:

  • If exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19;
  • Five days following a known close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID

The new isolation protocols do not require a COVID-19 test to exit isolation after having COVID. This general rule also applies to childcare and K-12.

Baker said that schools, businesses, and other institutions that continue to require a negative test should not require a PCR test to return from isolation, saying the data shows rapid antigen tests “accurate, especially on the back end of having COVID.”

New quarantine protocols from DPH recommend, but do not require, testing for all exposed individuals within five days after exposure. Exposed individuals do not need to quarantine if they meet any of the following circumstances:

  • If fully vaccinated and not yet eligible to receive a booster;
  • If fully vaccinated and have received their booster;
  • If they had COVID and it is less than 90 days since diagnosed.

DPH also advises that a positive COVID-19 rapid antigen test does not need to be confirmed with a PCR test.

PCR tests require visiting a testing site or healthcare facility and can take 48 to 72 hours to receive results. Individuals can self-test at home with rapid antigen tests, with results in around 15 minutes.

National Guard Activations Rise to 1,000

Baker also announced another 500 members of the Massachusetts National Guard were being called up to support the healthcare system across Massachusetts. He cited staffing issues across the economy, especially in healthcare, as an enormous challenge.

The capacity of the state’s healthcare system is some 700 beds less than available at the same time last year, according to Baker. He also said that getting guard members deployed is a challenge, as nearly all those called up are without healthcare experience in their background. Those guard members with healthcare experience typically work in a healthcare setting in their work as a civilian.

The guard prioritizes leaving those working in healthcare in place in their civilian roles when deciding on activations.

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