Politics & Government
Salem Rapid Coronavirus Test Site Catches 11 Positives In 3 Days
The downtown rapid test location opened Thursday in conjunction with the city's mandatory test order to attend large indoor October parties.
SALEM, MA — The Salem downtown rapid coronavirus test location set up late last week in conjunction with the start of the city's mandatory negative test policy to attend large indoor events in October caught 11 positive cases out of the 415 people tested Thursday through Saturday.
The positive-test rate of 2.65 percent is higher than the statewide rate of 1.69 percent reported on Monday.
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.
Find out what's happening in Salemfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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 415 tests took place over three days. Those receiving a test were notified of the result within about one to two hours.
Find out what's happening in Salemfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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.
More Patch Coverage: Peabody Essex Museum To Host Salem Rapid Coronavirus Test Site
Salem Indoor Event Coronavirus Test Order: What You Need To Know
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
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