COVID-19 mobile testing team staying in East Boston; second site in Mattapan

Mayor Martin J. Walsh yesterday announced the City of Boston's two mobile testing teams are now available again to anyone at no cost and regardless of symptoms. East Boston Neighborhood Health Center will continue its mobile operation in East Boston's Central Square Park located on Border Street across from Liberty Plaza Shopping Center. Whittier Street Health Center will operate in Mattapan at Jubilee Christian Church at 1500 Blue Hill Avenue. Both testing sites are available through Saturday, November 28.

"As we see an increase in COVID-19 activity, it is vital that we continue to ensure access to testing, especially in neighborhoods and communities where there's a greater positivity rate.  And, in addition to the City of Boston providing availability, I need every Bostonian to get tested, even if they aren't showing symptoms, so individuals can protect their health and the City can be guided by accurate public health data," said Mayor Walsh. "Thank you to East Boston Neighborhood Health Center and Whittier Street Health Center for helping to provide this important resource and healthcare to our residents." 

In East Boston, testing is available through Saturday, November 14 in Central Square Park on Border Street, across from Liberty Plaza Shopping Center. Testing is available to anyone at no cost and regardless of symptoms. Individuals are asked to register by calling 617-568-4500.

The dates and hours of operation are:

• Tuesday, November 17 - Friday, November 20: 1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

• Saturday, November 21: 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

• Tuesday, November 24 - Wednesday, November 25: 1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

• Saturday, November 28: 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

"We are again thankful for Mayor Walsh and the City of Boston for providing East Boston with key testing resources. Now more than ever, we need to focus on identifying and stopping the spread of COVID-19," said East Boston Neighborhood Health Center president and CEO Manny Lopes. "The entire team at EBNHC urges East Boston and surrounding neighborhoods to wear a mask, wash your hands, practice social distancing, and get tested. We can make a difference if we do it together."

In Mattapan, testing is available through Saturday, November 14, 2020 at Jubilee Christian Church, which is located at 1500 Blue Hill Avenue. Anyone can get tested at no cost and regardless of COVID-19 symptoms during the hours listed below. Individuals are asked to register by calling 617-858-2406.

The dates and hours of operation are:

• Tuesday, November 17 - Friday, November 20: 1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

• Saturday, November 21: 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

• Tuesday, November 24 - Wednesday, November 25: 1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

• Saturday, November 28: 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

"With recent daily reports of coronavirus cases in Boston and across the country surging to previously unseen heights since the pandemic began, we deeply value the opportunity to partner with the city to make free COVID-19 testing available to all," Frederica M. Williams, President and CEO of Whittier Street Health Care Center. "We are in an urgent crisis, and with testing, contact tracing and following the CDC guidelines of how to protect yourself and others, we believe that we should be able to bend the curve and keep everyone safe and healthy."

The mobile site testing initiative was announced by Mayor Walsh in May as a way to help fill any gaps in testing availability, prioritizing neighborhoods and populations that need dedicated testing efforts to create equitable access to testing. The first mobile testing teams have previously been located in Roxbury, Allston, South Boston, Mattapan, East Boston, and Dorchester. At the Roxbury mobile site in Nubian Square, there were 841 COVID-19 tests given.

In addition to the City's two mobile testing sites, COVID-19 testing is available at over 30 locations across the city. Individuals can call the Mayor's Health Line with any questions using 617-534-5050. View a complete list of all testing sites. 

Mayor Walsh recently announced the City of Boston launched "Get The Test, Boston," a pledge designed to encourage residents to get a COVID-19 test. Additionally, businesses who sign the pledge will share testing resources and information with their employees. So far, over 20 businesses have signed onto the pledge, including Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, Boston Bruins, Boston Celtics, Boston Red Sox, Boston Main Streets, Bunker Hill Community College, Drift, Greater Boston Labor Council, MassChallenge, Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP, Rapid 7, Rise Construction Management, Roxbury Community College, Stop & Shop, Flour Bakery & Cafe, Myers & Chang, Sociedad Latina, Weber Shandwick, Soleil Restaurant, Emerson College, TD Garden, The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, UNITE HERE Local 26, and Wayfair.

The City of Boston has been partnering with community health centers to increase access to testing, particularly in neighborhoods experiencing higher rates of COVID-19. As of Saturday, October 31, 2020, there were 340,542 COVID-19 tests of Boston residents. Out of 340,542 total tests, 6.2% have tested positive. For all Boston residents, the positivity for tests decreased from 8.0% for the prior week (October 18-24) to 7.2% for the current week (October 25-31). The latest numbers of cases from the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) by neighborhoods are available online.

Mayor Walsh and the Boston Resiliency Fund Steering Committee have dedicated over $1,790,000 to expand COVID-19 testing and conduct culturally appropriate outreach and education to community health centers across City of Boston neighborhoods, including Bowdoin Street Community Health Center, Codman Square Community Health Center, The Dimock Center, DotHouse Health, Mattapan Community Health Center, Uphams Corner Community Health Center, Whittier Street Community Health Center, Charles River Community Health, Fenway Health, Greater Roslindale Medical & Dental Center, Harbor Health, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center, Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center, South Boston Community Health Center, NEW Health Charlestown, South End Community Health Center, and Brookside Community Health Center. The Fund has also supported telehealth services and equipment at those community health centers as well to connect testing to safe treatment options at home.

Resources and information about COVID-19 are available online. Resources available on Boston.gov and through City departments include support for renters and homeowners; small businesses; free meals for Boston students; free toiletries for Boston students; support for older residents; information on homeless shelters; resources for those in recovery or those who have a substance use disorder; and mental health resources. More information on Boston's reopening can be found at boston.gov/reopening.

For additional questions or programs, please visit our coronavirus website or call 3-1-1, Boston's 24-hour constituent hotline. Text BOSCOVID to 888-777 to receive text alerts on a regular basis, available in 11 languages.