Milford Wants Coronavirus Testing Site Back As Area Cases Surge

MILFORD, MA — Milford health officials are asking for a drive-thru coronavirus testing site to return to the town as cases here — and eight other towns nearby — surge.

Milford had a drive-thru testing site at the Walgreens along Route 109, but the site closed in early October — just as local cases were beginning to rise after a summer lull. The Milford Board of Health has asked for state help to replace the facility.

"The number of cases and percent positivity continue to rise and being able to get tested is a critical part of controlling the pandemic in our community," the Board of Health said in a Nov. 20 update. "Our residents need access to testing without the need for insurance, referrals, long wait times, and other barriers."

Milford has been on the state's list of high-risk communities for all but one week since mid-October. Since Nov. 12, eight nearby towns — Bellingham, Douglas, Hopedale, Mendon, Norfolk, Sutton, Upton and Uxbridge — have been added to the high-risk list.

There were only two testing sites in Milford as of Monday, according to the state Department of Public Health: the CVS along Route 109 and Milford Regional Medical Center. Those are two of only five testing sites between I-495 and I-395, according to the state's map of test sites.

In late summer, the state began opening Stop the Spread free testing facilities. The closest ones to Milford are in Worcester and Framingham, and have been seeing long lines in recent weeks. Milford health officials have also requested a Stop the Spread facility.