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From: Lee Gianetti <lgianetti@cambridgema.gov> Date: 12/22/2022 7:34 PM Subject: City of Cambridge to Make Free Rapid Antigen At-Home Test Kits Available for the Public

City of Cambridge to Make Free Rapid Antigen At-Home Test Kits Available

Contact: Lee Gianetti PIO@cambridgema.gov mailto:pio@cambridgema.gov

For Immediate Release

Cambridge, MA, December 22, 2022 -- The City of Cambridge announced today that on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, and Thursday, December 29, 2022, COVID-19 rapid antigen at-home test kits will be available for the public to pick up at all Cambridge Public Library branches, City Hall, and the Cambridge Public Health Department, while supplies last.

“We continue to support our community accessing important tools like rapid antigen tests to keep themselves, their families, and our community safe, and we want to thank City staff for making this public distribution effort possible,” said Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui and City Manager Yi-An Huang in a joint statement. “It is important that residents continue to take precautions to help slow the spread of COVID-19, including getting vaccinated and receiving the most recent COVID-19 booster dose recommended for you by the CDC.”

“Rapid tests play an important role in preventing the spread of COVID-19” noted Derrick Neal, Chief Public Health Officer at the Cambridge Public Health Department. “People who test positive should observe isolation guidance and wear a mask around others. If individuals need support to be able to isolate at home, our public health investigators are ready to help. Residents can call 617-933-0797 with questions and to get connected to treatment, masks and tests, and even food and other basic community resources while they isolate.”

People who live or work in Cambridge can pick up tests kits at the following locations during the dates and times listed below while supplies last:

Wednesday, December 28:

* 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue

* 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Cambridge Public Health Department, 119 Windsor Street

* 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Main Library, 449 Broadway

* 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Boudreau Branch, 245 Concord Avenue

* 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Central Square Branch, 45 Pearl Street

* 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Collins Branch, 64 Aberdeen Avenue

* 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at O’Connell Branch, 48 Sixth Street

* 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at O’Neill Branch, 70 Rindge Avenue

* 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Valente Branch, 826 Cambridge Street

Thursday, December 29:

* 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue

* 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Cambridge Public Health Department, 119 Windsor Street

* 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Main Library, 449 Broadway

* 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Boudreau Branch, 245 Concord Avenue

* 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Central Square Branch, 45 Pearl Street

* 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Collins Branch, 64 Aberdeen Avenue

* 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at O’Connell Branch, 48 Sixth Street

* 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at O’Neill Branch, 70 Rindge Avenue

* 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Valente Branch, 826 Cambridge Street

Signage will be posted at the entrances of pick-up locations to indicate where people should go to pick up test kits.

Test kits will be available at these locations until supplies run out. Expiration dates on iHealth rapid antigen test kits have been extended and check at https://camb.ma/datecheck https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=iNz98fGjAij26T-2FVbfVb...

As a reminder, every home in the U.S. is now eligible to order four free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests, which will be mailed to your household. Residents can learn more and order tests at www.covidtests.gov https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=7zFBvZry39J5K5cdwsweCK... .

Insurance companies are also required to cover the cost of at-home COVID-19 tests. This means that most people with private health coverage can go online or to a pharmacy or store, buy a test, and either get it paid for up front by their health plan or get reimbursed for the cost by submitting a claim to their plan. Many stores and pharmacies throughout the city have supplies of at-home test kits readily available for purchase.

More information about rapid test kits and their availability for pickup at these sites is available at www.cambridgema.gov/hometest https://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=7zFBvZry39J5K5cdwsweCO... .

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