Governor Charlie Baker announced on Monday, December 13, the Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services purchased 2.1 million COVID-19 rapid tests to be distributed to 102 cities and towns on a rolling basis through next week.
The 102 cities and towns selected are those with the highest percentage of their population living below the poverty line. Governor Baker said the goal was to put tests in the hands of municipalities with the highest proportion of residents with likely cost barriers.Each municipality will distribute tests at their discretion with some minimal state guidelines, according to Baker.
Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders said residents should consider a rapid test prior to an indoor gathering with individuals who vaccination status is uncertain. Positive test results do not require reporting and that those who test positive should quarantine for ten days and notify any close contacts. The rapid test produces results in around 15 minutes without sending the specimen to a lab.
Baker also said the state is negotiating with rapid test manufacturers on a state negotiated, fixed price for purchasing rapid tests that he hopes will make rapid tests available to municipalities by the end of January. The testing units are eligible for purchase using American Rescue Plan Act [ARPA] and other federal COVID-19 funding.
The state purchased the rapid test kids from iHealth labs, headquartered in Mountain View, California. The homepage to the website has a pack of two rapid tests available for sale for $13.98 plus shipping, with a limit of five per person.
iHealth Labs’ test kit received emergency authorizations use for its tests.
Sudders said the state paid $10 million for the 2.1 million tests, which is an average of $9.52 for two tests. The department spent the funds from state appropriation dollars and will seek reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA].
Baker said that testing facilities within the state are conducting around 100,000 tests per day, with another 70,000 to 80,000 conducted in schools across the state, daily.
Vaccination rates reported by Baker include over 5 million people in Massachusetts, with 1.5 million receiving a booster shot. He stressed vaccination remains the most effective tool against COVID-19 as a statistical comparison between now and last year shows if those unvaccinated would vaccinate, the number of individuals hospitalized would be half what it is today.
