Peabody To Receive 19K Of State's 2 Million Rapid COVID-19 Tests

PEABODY, MA — Peabody will receive more than 19,000 COVID-19 rapid antigen tests as part of the state's latest distribution of 2 million at-home tests across 264 cities and towns.

The distribution was based on population size with Peabody set to receive 19,260 tests. Boston will receive the most tests at 251,280 with Springfield second at 55,800.

"The Administration remains committed to providing our residents with the tools to manage COVID-19 and testing is one key tool to combat the spread of COVID-19," Health and Human Services Secretary Marylou Sudders said on Monday. "We will continue our aggressive efforts to provide these crucial tools, to ensure the safety and health of Massachusetts residents."

The distribution is the latest in what has totaled more than 30 million tests delivered from the state to cities, towns, schools, food banks, shelters, correctional facilities and other community-based organizations over the past six months.

Each community in the latest allotment will have discretion over how tests are distributed.

The tests are being sent out on a rolling basis over the next two weeks.

"This initiative builds upon the commonwealth's nation-leading efforts to make testing accessible for residents throughout the pandemic," Gov. Charlie Baker said. "Along with vaccines and treatments, testing remains an important tool to manage COVID, which is why we will continue to ensure testing resources remain widely available."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)