{"id":81707,"date":"2022-09-07T19:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-07T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/framinghamsource.com\/?p=81707"},"modified":"2022-09-08T08:34:41","modified_gmt":"2022-09-08T12:34:41","slug":"massachusetts-to-distribute-3-5-million-at-home-covid-19-rapid-antigen-tests","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/framinghamsource.com\/index.php\/2022\/09\/07\/massachusetts-to-distribute-3-5-million-at-home-covid-19-rapid-antigen-tests\/","title":{"rendered":"Massachusetts To Distribute 3.5 Million At-Home COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Tests"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In full transparency, the following is a press release from the Baker-Polito administration<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[broadstreet zone=”59982″]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BOSTON\u00a0\u2014\u00a0The Baker-Polito Administration today, September 7, announced plans to distribute 3.5 million free at-home COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to municipalities to make available to residents across the Commonwealth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new municipal distribution plan builds on the successful distribution of over 2 million rapid tests to municipalities earlier this spring. In addition to the rapid antigen tests, municipalities can also request essential PPE, including KN95, surgical and children\u2019s masks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Allocations to municipalities will be based on population size. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

[broadstreet zone=”59983″]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Municipalities can request tests and PPE through September 16, 2022, and shipments are expected to arrive before mid-October. These distributions of free tests build upon statewide contracts in place since December 2021 that allow municipalities and eligible entities to order test kits directly from manufacturers at state-negotiated prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An additional 1.5 million rapid antigen tests will also be made available to food banks in the Commonwealth, to reach those who are most vulnerable. More than 1.5 million tests have already been distributed to food banks and local organizations that support access to food across Massachusetts this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[broadstreet zone=”59984″]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis distribution of COVID-19 rapid antigen tests builds on our work over the past several years to partner with municipalities to ensure residents can protect themselves from the virus,\u201d\u00a0said Governor Charlie Baker.\u00a0\u201cRapid tests, along with other resources like vaccines, boosters and treatments, provide residents with the tools they need to manage COVID-19.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThroughout our time in office, we have focused on collaborating with our municipal partners, and that has been especially true throughout the pandemic,\u201d\u00a0said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito.\u00a0\u201cThis latest distribution of rapid tests is part of our ongoing work to provide local officials with the tools and resources they need to protect their residents and communities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since December 2021, the Administration has distributed\u00a0more than 25 million\u00a0rapid antigen tests for Massachusetts residents, municipalities, and a broad range of educational, health, human services, food banks, shelter, correctional, senior, low-income housing, and other community-based organizations. Today\u2019s announcement marks the latest step in the Administration\u2019s effort to provide residents across the Commonwealth with the tools needed to manage COVID-19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[broadstreet zone=”53820″]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTesting is one critical tool for managing COVID-19, rather than COVID managing us, and we remain committed to ensuring that all Massachusetts residents have access to free tests,\u201d\u00a0said Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders. \u201cTaking an at-home test is part of the steps that individuals can take \u2013 including staying up to date on vaccines, staying home when sick, and wearing masks as needed \u2013 to protect themselves and reduce the spread of COVID-19.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Massachusetts is a national leader in vaccination rates with over 84 percent of eligible residents fully vaccinated and over half of adults boosted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

[broadstreet zone=”59947″]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Department of Public Health advises residents to observe the following protocols to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID:<\/p>\n\n\n\n