Where To Get A COVID-19 Test On Cape Cod

HYANNIS, MA — Barnstable County on Tuesday saw its highest daily coronavirus case count of the pandemic so far, state and Cape Cod officials said in a news briefing Wednesday. And to prevent further spread of COVID-19, state officials will open a "Stop the Spread" testing location at the Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis.

The Cape Cod Melody Tent will be open for free PCR testing on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesday, beginning Jan. 10.

See the full Barnstable County COVID-19 testing schedule here.

Barnstable County Health Director Sean O'Brien said people can pre-register for the drive-thru testing site or show up for a walk-in. He said testing is also available at the Orleans Department of Public Works and the Barnstable County Fairgrounds, thought the fairgrounds testing site will likely eventually be retired because of the increased testing at the Cape Cod Melody Tent. Other testing options, including on the Outer Cape, are also being considered, O'Brien said.

The Department of Public Health on Tuesday reported 16,621 new COVID-19 cases across Massachusetts. State Sen. Julian Cyr (D-Truro), said 411 of those cases were reported in Barnstable County, the highest daily total since the beginning of the pandemic. Though, Cyr said the actual number is probably much higher because of at-home positive tests.

This spike with the omicron variant, along with gatherings and traveling during the holiday season, created a large demand for COVID-19 testing in Massachusetts and nationwide. And in many cases, the supply is not meeting the demand, including on Cape Cod.

Cyr said Massachusetts has done well with testing compared to many other states, though he'd like to see more testing, especially in terms of at-home testing.

"Do we have enough tests so that everyone who wants a test can get a test on demand? No, but I don't think that's unique to Cape Cod," Cyr said.