MA Getting 26M Rapid Tests, With Focus On Schools

MASSACHUSETTS — The state will receive 26 million COVID-19 rapid tests over the next three months under its contract with iHealth Labs. Shipments will begin on a rolling basis starting this week, with a priority on supporting K-12 education and child care, Gov. Charlie Baker said Tuesday.

Baker reiterated that the state will not consider shifting to remote learning, as districts grapple with staffing shortages and widespread student absences amid the latest surge. The tests will go toward ensuring students receive a full school year of in-person learning.

"Everybody owes the kids of the Commonwealth 180 days of in-person learning," Baker said.

The governor added that data points to the 2020-21 school year being a "very bad year" for the majority of students, citing learning loss and stymied social growth. Districts do have a reserve of days they can use in an emergency and make up at the end of the school year, but the state is doing "everything we can to make sure kids get that 180 days of in-person learning," Baker said.

The Department of Public Health also recently updated its guidance to take the emphasis off PCR testing, a move officials hope will alleviate crowds at testing sites. Employers are advised to accept a negative rapid test for people to return to work or school.

"A lot of the people showing up [to testing sites] every single time are showing up because they need it for their employer, they need it for school," Baker said. "We believe the antigen tests, which are enormously accurate, are a perfectly suitable solution."

The DPH recommends people get a COVID test only if they are experiencing symptoms or are a close contact of someone who has the virus.

This week, the state began re-evaluating how it tracks COVID hospitalizations to distinguish between people seeking treatment for infections and patients hospitalized for other reasons who tested positive during intake.

Baker said the issue of incidental positives was showing up "anecdotally, particularly from clinicians saying they had people who tested positive for COVID as entry protocol, but really weren't there for COVID."

Hospitals on Monday started collecting data on both incidental positive COVID tests and COVID being the primary reason for admission. That data will be reflected in the state's weekly COVID update.

This is a developing story. Check back with Patch for updates.