MEDFORD/SOMERVILLE, Mass. (Oct. 6, 2020)-Tufts University is launching a free COVID-19 community testing program for neighbors in Medford and Somerville who live on select streets close to the university’s Medford/Somerville campus. A limited number of asymptomatic tests will be available each week during the program, which launches Tuesday, Oct. 13 and concludes at the end of Tufts’ Fall semester in December.
“The testing program was developed to support Tufts neighbors during the unprecedented COVID-19 public health crisis,” said Anthony P. Monaco, Tufts University president. “We appreciate Medford and Somerville’s continued collaboration to prevent the spread of this dangerous virus, and keep both the Tufts campus community and host communities safe. This is one more way in which the university, Medford and Somerville are working together to support each other through this pandemic.”
The tests, which take roughly 10 minutes, will be conducted by appointment in Breed Memorial Hall at 51 Winthrop Street in Medford on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Only qualifying community members with appointments will be permitted to enter the testing facility due to social distancing and other health considerations. Any residents under the age of 18 – including the children of neighbors with appointments – cannot be tested or enter the testing facility.
Qualifying neighbors may schedule an appointment at .
Only neighbors who reside on select streets abutting the Medford/Somerville campus and meet other criteria are eligible for this testing program. The complete list of streets and criteria are below.
“We are very thankful to Tufts University for opening up asymptomatic testing for residents in the Tufts area,” said Breanna Lungo-Koehn, mayor of Medford. “The availability of community testing will allow us to continue to track and monitor cases within our community, especially asymptomatic spread, and will hopefully provide some peace of mind for residents in the shorter term. We look forward to continuing our weekly conversations and check-ins with Tufts staff to continue our joint goals of keeping our communities safe and healthy.”
“We’re appreciative that Tufts is stepping up and making it easier for Somerville residents who live near campus to get tested for COVID-19 and adding to the options that the community already has for testing,” said Joe Curtatone, mayor of Somerville. “Robust testing is a key part in containing this disease, so anything that can be done to make testing easier and more convenient is a boost for public health.”
In order to qualify for a test, neighbors must satisfy the following requirements:
- Must be 18 years or older.
- Must be asymptomatic for COVID-19.
- Must make an appointment at least one day in advance. Anyone who arrives at the testing facility without an appointment will not be tested.
- Must fill out a consent form.
- Must be wearing face covering over mouth and nose.
- Must bring a photo ID and/or a utility bill with your address.
- Must live on one of the eligible streets, listed below.
Parking at the testing facility is extremely limited and will only be available to individuals who have a handicapped parking permit. Public metered parking is available a short distance from the testing facility on Boston Avenue in Medford. A staff member will greet community members arriving for their appointments to check them in.
