Positive Rate Drops In Salem Rapid Coronavirus Testing

SALEM, MA — Salem reported 14 more positive coronavirus tests out of 810 tests conducted at the Essex Street rapid testing location from Oct. 6 through Oct. 9.

The positive test rate was 1.72 percent for that stretch — down from the 2.65 percent rate in the first three days of testing Sept. 30 through Oct. 2.

The Salem positive test rate almost exactly mirrored the statewide rate of 1.80 percent reported on Friday.

(READ: Salem's 2021 Halloween Resurrection Kicks Off With Grand Parade)

The Peabody Essex Museum is hosting the test site at the Connect Building at 135 Essex Street with Curative — the company that ran the mass vaccination site at the Danvers DoubleTree Hotel last winter and spring — conducting the free testing.

The Salem Board of Health unanimously approved the negative test order for indoor events at venues open to the public from Oct. 1 through Oct.31. Anyone attending a Halloween-themed ball, large party, wedding reception or other similar events with 100 or more guests must receive a negative virus test regardless of whether they are vaccinated or not for entry.

The Board of Health order states tests must be administered within 72 hours of attending the event. Self-administered or over-the-counter test results are not acceptable for admission.

The rapid test site will be open from noon to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays beginning through Oct. 30. The site will also be open on Halloween until 5 p.m.

Venues hosting these events have been strongly encouraged to contact all ticket holders to inform them of the new testing mandate so they can arrange for a test prior to coming to Salem if they are from out of town.

Salem also offers free "Stop the Spread" testing at St. Peter's Church and Salem High School. Salem also has an indoor mask mandate, which began on Aug. 23 and is set to expire on Nov. 13.

Did you find this article useful? Invite a friend to subscribe to Patch.

(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.)

More Patch Coverage: Peabody Essex Museum To Host Salem Rapid Coronavirus Test Site

Salem Mayor Pushes Coronavirus Test Mandate For Big Indoor Events

Salem Halloween 2021: Tourists Welcome, But Mask Up Indoors

Masks Are Back Inside Salem Businesses: What You Need To Know