Shrewsbury To Get Over 14,000 Rapid COVID-19 Tests For Residents

SHREWSBURY, MA — Shrewsbury is among hundreds of towns across Massachusetts that will soon get a big shipment of rapid COVID-19 test kits — an important tool to prevent the spread of a disease that's still causing thousands of illnesses across the state each week, health officials say.

Shrewsbury will get about 14,040 rapid tests to give to residents, the state Executive Office of Health and Human Services said Monday. That's part of a larger shipment of some 2 million tests heading to 264 cities and towns across Massachusetts.

The rapid tests can be administered at home, and take about 15 minutes to test for COVID-19.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COVID-19 transmission levels are still "high" in Middlesex, Norfolk and Suffolk counties. Cases spiked over the last month due to the ba.2 omicron subvariant, although cases appear to be receding in other parts of the state, including Worcester, Plymouth and Essex counties. The state reported over 2,000 new cases across the commonwealth on Friday alone.

On top of using rapid tests, state officials urge residents to get vaccinated and boosted against coronavirus. The CDC also recommends wearing face masks indoors in any area that has "high" transmission rates. The Shrewsbury Board of Health issued a mask advisory on May 20 due to the recent surge.