North Shore COVID-19 Testing, Booster Clinics Added Amid Rise In Cases

SALEM, MA — There is a renewed focus on COVID-19 vaccinations, booster shots, testing and some familiar virus mitigation strategies as cases continue their months-long slow climb on the North Shore.

Salem Hospital will be conducting vaccinations and booster shots this week with a vaccine clinic planned for the Salem Food Pantry on Wednesday from 10 a.m to noon, one at the Peabody Institute Library on Wednesday from 3 to 7 p.m. and one at the Salem Market Basket on Friday from noon to 4 p.m.

A full list of Salem Hospital free vaccine clinics in Chelsea, Everett, Lynn, Peabody, Revere and Salem can be found here.

"Lots of the people who are testing positive these days thought they were experiencing allergy symptoms. Please be mindful of any symptoms and seek testing if appropriate," the Peabody Health Department said in a statement.

Peabody PCR testing locations are open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon at Bresnahan Street and at 8 Centennial Drive from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

While there are no new universal mask requirements for indoor events and businesses at this time, North Shore officials are recommending residents consider masking up indoors with all of Essex County considered a "high transmission" area for COVID-19, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"Wear a well-fitting mask indoors in public, regardless of vaccination status or individual risk —including in K-12 schools and other community settings," the Peabody Health Department said, noting that this is guidance and not a city order. "If you are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe illness, wear a mask or respirator that provides you with greater protection."

Salem Public Schools issued new guidance for end-of-season school events late last week given the increase in cases in that district.

"We are strongly recommending that large gatherings take place outside," Salem Superintendent Steve Zrike said in his weekly newsletter to staff and families. "A combination
of some or all of the following layers of mitigation will be required: Rapid test within 24 hours of the event, masks, designated household seats and increased ventilation."

Zrike said a "health and safety plan" will be required for all school events that include outside guests and visitors.

The statewide positive-test average last week rose about 9 percent for the first time since January — though it remains well below the peak of 23.5 percent shortly after Christmas. While hospitalizations are slowly increasing across the state, they also remain well below the levels of the omicron surge in December and January.

The state reported a slight decrease in the seven-day positive-test average to 8.3 percent as of Monday.

(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.)