Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker says the state has inked a deal to distribute 26 million rapid COVID-19 tests over the next three months. At a briefing Tuesday, the Republican says the tests will be targeted at K-through-12 schools and child care. Baker says the new shipment is on top of nearly 3 million rapid tests already distributed to localities. The governor also outlined new Department of Public Health quarantine guidelines.
"DPH advises residents to get a test under two key scenarios," Baker said. "One, if they're exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, and two, if they're a confirmed close contact of someone who has COVID-19 under DPH's updated isolation and quarantine guidelines. Remember, with the new quarantine guidelines, DPH recommends but doesn't require that all exposed individuals get a test five days after exposure."
Baker says people exposed to COVID-19 but not positive themselves do not need to isolate if they are fully vaccinated and boosted or if they have had COVID within the past 90 days. DPH says if you have COVID symptoms but test negative using a rapid test, isolate and seek additional testing if symptoms persist.
"Rapid tests are highly accurate at determining when an individual is at their most transmissible period and they have many advantages to PCR testing especially at this point of the pandemic.," he said. "Because of this, DPH advises that a positive COVID rapid antigen test does not need to be confirmed with a PCR test."
But Baker says DPH is not advising employers, schools and childcare to require a test as a condition of returning to work or school.
"To be clear, DPH doesn't recommend that employers or schools or childcare providers require a test to return from isolation after having COVID. However, if they do require testing, DPH recommends they do not require a PCR test," he said.
Many drive-through testing sites in Massachusetts are closed Tuesday due to the extreme cold.