Salem To Send Coronavirus Rapid Tests Home With Students

SALEM, MA — Salem's plan to distribute state-provided free coronavirus rapid tests includes sending them home with Salem Public Schools students and staff prior to Christmas vacation, sending them to the Salem Pantry, large housing developments and child care workers, the homeless population and those who work with them, and making the remaining stock available to residents.

Salem received its allocation of the 2.1 million state-purchased rapid tests on Wednesday. Mayor Kim Driscoll said the city is working to purchase additional rapid tests to meet demand amid the surge in cases that is expected to last at least into next month.

The city said those receiving the two-pack of tests are advised to use one before any large holiday gathering of family and friends, and then use the second before returning to work or school following the holiday.

"This is just the first round of what will, I hope, be a continuing effort to provide free, rapid at-home tests to as many Salem households as possible," Driscoll said.

The city said high-risk and disproportionately impacted populations, as well as the school system, were prioritized in the initial distribution plan.

Salem Public Schools and Salem Academy Charter students and staff will receive an allocation of tests for students, teachers and staff. They will be advised to use one of those tests immediately before returning to school on Jan. 3.

The Salem Pantry will also receive an allocation to hand out to those visiting it over the next two weeks. Allocations will also be delivered to Lifebridge and the Salem YMCA.

Those who live at large, multi-family housing sites should expect to be contacted by the property manager or landlord on how to receive their test kits. Child care workers who care for children 4 years or younger, who are not eligible for vaccination, will also receive an allotment.

The remaining tests will be available at City Hall Annex Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week from 9 a.m. to noon, and then from the Community Life Center from 1 to 3 p.m. One test kit will be available per household, with proof of Salem residency required. Proof of citizenship or insurance is not needed.

If additional tests remain after Dec. 22, they will be available in a second distribution window.

Those who test positive at any time should follow these instructions on COVID care, contact tracing and quarantining.

Those seeking a test in addition to the free rapid tests can go to the free state "Stop the Spread" sites at Salem High School, the walk-up site at St. Peter's Church and the Curative mobile site at Riley Plaza.

(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.)