Massachusetts cities and towns can start ordering bulk shipments of rapid COVID-19 tests to distribute to residents scrambling to secure precious kits amid the omicron surge.
The Baker administration on Wednesday afternoon said Massachusetts has signed contracts with three rapid test manufacturers so far in an effort to make prices more affordable for municipalities.
The manufacturers include Ellume Limited, iHealth and Intrivo, with prices ranging from $5 to $26 per test, the Baker administration said in a news release. Massachusetts will roll out more deals in the coming weeks “as the rolling contracting period continues through March 2022,” state officials said.
“While the Administration has assurances from each manufacturer that there is significant supply, given the high demand across the country, and the level of interest from a wide range of organizations and entities in purchasing these test kits, municipalities and eligible entities should review their options and take steps toward making orders should they be interested in purchasing these products,” officials said.
Municipalities can use federal COVID relief money to buy the rapid test kits, officials said.
Gov. Charlie Baker earlier this month had promised to provide more affordable at-home test prices for municipalities, pending negotiations that were finalized Wednesday. In the interim, the governor also unveiled a stopgap solution to distribute 2.1 million free tests kits to 102 low-income communities across the state ahead of the Christmas celebration. But in that initial push, many municipalities — such as Boston, Lowell, Brockton and Salem — received just a fraction of the volume of kits needed to cover all residents.
The new contracts signed Wednesday apply to “cities, towns, district, counties, and other political subdivisions,” plus the “Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches, including all departments and elected offices,” state officials.
The lengthy purchasing eligibility list also encompasses local public libraries, public school districts, private schools, charters schools, early childhood centers, state-owned public hospitals, public and private colleges, and certain nonprofits.
“As demand for these test kits remains high across the country, these contracts are another tool for commonwealth residents to protect themselves and their loved ones from COVID-19,” state officials said. “COVID-19 rapid tests are one of many risk-reduction measures, along with vaccination, that can protect individuals by reducing the chances of spreading COVID-19.”
State officials pointed out residents can access rapid tests at local pharmacies or online, too — though Massachusetts residents have found little luck with those options during the holiday rush to get screened for the virus.
In Wednesday’s announcement, the Baker administration made no mention of mask-wearing as another COVID mitigation tool. Baker has stopped short of reinstating a statewide mask mandate, though he’s empowered local officials to pursue stricter COVID protocols as needed.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont earlier this week announced the state will distribute 500,000 iHealth test kits to the public, plus N95 masks, starting on Thursday. It’s part of a larger state initiative to distribute a total of 3 million rapid at-home tests and 6 million N95 masks.
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