Danvers To Offer Free Coronavirus Testing For Residents

DANVERS, MA — Danvers will offer free coronavirus testing for residents this month amid a surge of positive cases in the town and across the state.

The first test day will be Thursday at the Senior Center on Stone Street.

"Free and accessible testing for COVID-19 is a vital component of our strategy," said Danvers Public Health Director Mark Carleo. "Getting tested is a good idea even if you feel healthy, since asymptomatic spread is a contributor to our current upward case counts.

"Wear a mask. Social distance. Avoid gatherings. Wash your hands. It's pretty simple."

The Danvers cases per 100,000 people — the sole metric the state used until last month to determine the extent to which a community can reopen businesses— rose to 44.3 in last Thursday's report. That is sharply higher than the 24.9 cases in the Nov. 20 report.

The Danvers positive test rate was 4.92 percent over the past two weeks.

The town had 177 new cases over the two-week period leading up to Thursday, compared to 112 cases over the same span leading up to Nov. 20.

"Testing, mask-wearing, and social distancing are the best tools we have to combat community spread in Danvers, keep our schools open and help our local hospitals serve those who are infected," said Danvers Town Manager Steve Bartha. "Although the holidays are normally a time to celebrate with friends and loved ones, the safest place to be this holiday season is at home with members of your household only."

Testing will take place in the Senior Center parking lot from 8 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Dec. 15 and Dec. 17. Testing will be from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Dec. 21 and Dec. 29.

The tests will be conducted in partnership with Cataldo Ambulance. Residents must pre-register here. All residents must be in a vehicle. There will be no walk-up testing.

This is the less-invasive nasal swab test with results back in 24 to 48 hours.

Those being tested are asked to arrive as closely to their appointment time as possible. If there is a line of vehicles waiting for testing, please park in line, stay in your vehicle with a face covering on, and someone will approach your vehicle to take your registration information before being tested.

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