Medford Mayor Hits State Over COVID Test Kit Snub

MEDFORD, MA — When the state announced 102 communities to receive a supply of at-home rapid COVID-19 tests in December, Medford was left off the list.

Gov. Charlie Baker said at the time the aim was to reach the areas hit the hardest by the pandemic and improve access to testing for lower-income residents. The distribution strategy identified the communities with the highest percentage of families below the poverty level. This included neighboring cities Somerville and Malden, which each received tens of thousands of tests, but not Medford itself.

In a statement on Wednesday, Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn called the state's plan "appalling, unjust and terrible policy" and said it "relied on a flawed algorithm to determine need."

"This decision by the state to omit Medford and other communities is completely unacceptable and unfairly burdens our more vulnerable residents," Lungo-Koehn said. "I am deeply concerned about the damage this will cause in our neighborhoods and have been in constant contact with our state partners to find a solution."

There were some broad parameters to the program, which gave out a total of 2 million tests last month, but Baker's administration wanted to let communities decide the best course for distribution. This ranged from partnering with local nonprofits to reach certain populations to distributing tests at city hall.

Lungo-Koehn said the state should have prioritized senior living facilities and people living in affordable housing.

"Our state delegation has been advocating on the city's behalf, but we're in the middle of this surge and need resources now," she said, adding that she is working with the Board of Health to purchase test kits in bulk or establish a testing location for residents.

Baker has not announced another round of distribution of free tests, but said in late December his administration had finalized contracts with test manufacturers that allow municipalities to order rapid test kits at state-negotiated prices.

Three companies, Ellume Limited, iHealth and Intrivo, were awarded contracts and offer prices ranging from $5-$26 per test. Additional manufacturers are expected to be awarded contracts in the near future.