BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — All early education or care providers in Massachusetts will be able to access COVID-19 pooled testing for free.
This testing includes any staff, teachers, and children ages two or older. The program was created by Neighborhood Villages, a Boston-based nonprofit, and is operating through a partnership with Veritas.
“Pooled testing has proved to be a critical mitigation strategy in detecting positive cases among asymptomatic individuals that might have otherwise been undetected. Bringing this testing strategy to child care programs and after school programs will be another important step in our fight against COVID-19,” Early Education Commissioner Samantha Aigner-Treworgy told WBZ-TV.
Tests will be on-site of the education or care facility and will be sampled through saliva.
The state is expecting to pay around $100,000 to run the program starting mid-June through the end of the summer.
Massachusetts still requires a mask mandate in congregate care settings and K-12 schools.
WBZ NewsRadio's Karyn Regal (@KarynRegal) reports.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio:Facebook|Twitter|Instagram|iHeartmedia App
(Photo: Getty Images)