Salem Offers Rapid Tests With 'Stop The Spread' Sites Closing

SALEM, MA — Salem will make more at-home rapid COVID-19 tests available ahead of the closure of the two free "Stop the Spread" testing sites at Salem High School and St. Peter's Church this month.

Gov. Charlie Baker said on Friday that declining demand for testing and the increased availability of the rapid tests will prompt the state to close 30 of the 41 "Stop the Spread" sites on March 31.

The Curative mobile PCR test site at Riley Plaza will remain open through at least June 30. That site is open Mondays through Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with pre-registration necessary.

Officials said the city will provide the additional free rapid tests through the Salem Health Department. Those tests are available at the health offices at 98 Washington Street Mondays through Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday through the end of the month.

Anyone who lives or works in Salem is eligible for up to three boxes — with two tests per box — as supplies last.

(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.)