LYNN — Free coronavirus testing will continue to be offered in the city of Lynn until mid-September.
The testing, part of the state’s “Stop the Spread” initiative, was scheduled to end on Friday, but has been extended to Sept. 12 due to a recent spike in positive cases statewide.
The initiative launched last month and consists of offering free coronavirus testing in hard-hit communities. At its launch, the initiative targeted eight communities, but has since expanded to 17, including Lynn, Chelsea and Revere.
In Lynn, the majority of testing is offered through the Lynn Community Health Center at the center’s outdoor walk-through site in the Element Care parking lot on Buffum Street.
Additional testing is also offered through Health Innovations/Healthy Streets Outreach Program, which has a mobile testing van set up at Lynn English High School four times a week.
Dr. Kiame Mahaniah, CEO of Lynn Community Health Center, said he was pleased that the state opted to extend its testing initiative, given the rising case numbers that have been seen since late July.
“I think for Lynn, it’s great because we’ve been seeing a rising rate in the past two weeks, so it’s great we can continue offering this service,” said Mahaniah.
As of Saturday, the seven-day positive test rate at the health center is 9.6 percent, which is a significant spike from July 24, when the rate was 4 to 5 percent, Mahaniah said.
After July 24, the rate steadily continued to rise, increasing from 6 percent on July 25 to 8 percent on July 27, 9 percent on July 30 and then stabilizing around 10 percent over the past week-plus, Mahaniah said.
Although people have taken advantage of the free testing offered through the “Stop the Spread” initiative, Mahaniah said he does not think that is leading to the recent virus surge in the city.
He said the state Department of Public Health is analyzing the data, but does not seem to have a clear idea of what has led to the spike in cases. So far, neither the health center nor the DPH has noticed a trend.
Mahaniah said Lynn could be experiencing high numbers due to many residents living in crowded conditions or because there is a high percentage, or about 51 percent, of people who are essential workers and therefore, cannot work remotely.
“But that doesn’t explain why Lawrence, Brockton or Holyoke wouldn’t be in the same boat,” said Mahaniah. “Something unusual is happening on the North Shore, and I’m hoping the DPH will be able to figure it out when they look at the data.”
While increased testing may not be the reason behind the increased positive rate, Mahaniah said it’s clear that many people are taking advantage of the initiative.
The health center now tests about 1,000 people per week, more than 300 people a day during the week and more than 150 on Saturdays and Sundays. Nearly 200 people were tested this past Saturday, Mahaniah said.
Before the initiative, the health center was testing between 150 to 200 people a day, he said.
People are able to walk up to the site and get tested, but Mahaniah recommends they call to make an appointment due to high demand. On a normal day, he said LCHC receives about 1,500 calls a day, but over the past few days that number has jumped to about 4,000.
“It’s better to wait on the phone than to wait in person,” said Mahaniah, who advised people to adhere to familiar medical advice in order to curb the spread — wear their masks, wash their hands and avoid high risk activities.
Testing is offered seven days a week through the Lynn Community Health Center’s outdoor clinic at 9 Buffum St. Hours are from 1-4 p.m. on Sunday; 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed 12-1 p.m.) on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (closed 12-1 p.m.) on Thursday; and 1-4 p.m. on Saturday.
People can get tested at the Health Innovations mobile testing van, which is located at Lynn English High School, 50 Goodridge St., from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed 12:30-1:30 p.m.) on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Call 781-581-3900 for an appointment. You do not need to be a patient at LCHC.
