Salem 'Stop The Spread' COVID-19 Sites To Shut Down Thursday

SALEM, MA — Twenty months after the two Salem free "Stop the Spread" coronavirus test sites opened amid the height of the COVID-19 health crisis, the drive-up location at Salem High and the walk-in location at St. Peter's Church will shut down on Thursday.

Gov. Charlie Baker said early this month that a dramatic decrease in demand for the PCR tests — based on the prevalence of vaccinations, at-home rapid tests and decreased virus cases was behind the decision to shutter what was once the frontline for virus detection in a community.

The Curative mobile PCR test site at Riley Plaza in Salem 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.

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Salem will also offer free at-home rapid tests to residents.

Any Salem resident or individual who works in Salem is eligible to pick up three boxes of tests (two tests per box) from the Health Department offices, 98 Washington Street 3rd floor, Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

(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.)