One Day For Coronavirus Testing In Framingham Christmas Week

FRAMINGHAM, MA — As coronavirus cases continue to rise in Framingham, the Christmas holiday will slow free virus testing, according to officials.

The city's two free testing sites will only be open on Dec. 23 for the rest of Christmas week. The new appointment-only Stop the Spread site along Franklin Street will be open with limited availability, according to officials. The walk-up site at the South Middlesex Opportunity Center — which is open to residents only — will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. only.

Health officials across the state — including Gov. Charlie Baker — are literally begging residents to avoid Christmas gatherings, fearing a spike in cases like what was seen after Thanksgiving.

On Monday, Framingham reported 122 new cases and two new deaths. There are now 1,050 active coronavirus cases citywide, and Framingham remains on the state's red "high-risk" list along with nearby communities like Marlborough, Ashland and Southborough.