Large turnout for first day of free COVID-19 testing in 8 communities

MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — Friday was the first day of Massachusetts’ free COVID-19 testing sites. The testing centers opened in eight different hard-hit communities throughout the state as part of Governor Charlie Baker’s “Stop the Spread” initiative.

“I was very anxious and I was kind of pleasantly surprised that you get to self-administer,” said Ashley Fries, who got a free test in Everett.

Fries and her boyfriend Joe Couture just got back from a cross country road trip and needed peace of mind.

“We just wanted that added reassurance that coming back from the west coast we weren’t going to put anyone else at risk,” Couture said.

In Marlborough, a line of cars stretched for blocks near Marlborough Hospital which was one of the two sites in the city offering free testing.

There were also crowds at the testing site in Chelsea.

Governor Baker’s office announced the “Stop the Spread” initiative earlier this week. The eight communities selected have higher than the state’s 2% positive testing rate and have seen more than a 40% decrease in testing since April.

“It’s a great asset to have here in the city,” said Sabrina Firicano, Everett Public Health Nurse.

Everett was one of the hardest-hit communities but has recently been trending downward.

“We have a lot of hard-working individuals here and they were kind of working through this whole thing and going out every day and always being exposed,” said Firicano.

You do not need to show symptoms to get tested or be a resident of the selected communities.

Marcus Romboli is headed to Central Michigan University from Everett in a few days to start his D-1 football career and was required by the school to get a test.

“They just want us to come onto campus with a 14 day quarantine period which started July 3rd. But today I’m getting a test to find out just to make sure,” said Romboli.

The city of Everett says having these new testing sites is a huge help and they’re thankful to the Baker-Polito administration.

“I think it’s a great tool for our residents to have because there are so many individuals that are a-symptomatic. It’s definitely important for them to come out and get tested so that they’re able to isolate properly and not further spread the virus,” said Firicano.

Sites in Chelsea, Everett, Fall River, Lawrence, Lowell, Lynn, Marlborough and New Bedford will offer free testing through August 14.

The testing will be available free of charge to any Massachusetts resident, with or without symptoms.

You can find out more about the “Stop the Spread” testing sites here.

You can also find a map of statewide test sites here, though not all sites are offering free testing.

Marlborough officials surprised by 'hot spot' categorization, but grateful for extra testing The mayor of Marlborough was surprised to hear Governor Baker categorize his city as a 'hot spot' but is grateful for the support.

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