Health & Fitness

Cape Coronavirus: Mashpee Wampanoag Expands Testing For Tribes

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe has expanded free coronavirus testing for all tribal nations.

MASHPEE, MA — The Mashpee Wampanoag has expanded testing for the new coronavirus to make sure all tribal members, regardless of tribe, have access.

The tribe's health service unit on Wednesday began offering free drive-thru testing for members of all federally recognized tribes. A statement on the tribe's website said members are not required to have symptoms of COVID-19 and do not need a doctor's referall.

"We need to ensure that all tribal members have the opportunity to get tested for COVID-19 in an effort to keep the health and well-being of our tribal citizens as the number one priority," a representative from the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe told the Cape Cod Times.

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The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, which has more than 2,900 enrolled members, declared a state of emergency last Month and applied for FEMA aid. Nelson Andrews, the tribe's emergency management director, said the Mashpee Wampanoag were the first tribal nation to receive federal aid during the new coronavirus crisis. As of Wednesday afternoon, 26 tribal members have tested positive for COVID-19.

Those wanting to be tested should call 508-539-2561 to register.

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