City of Springfield and State Department of Public Health Announce Partnerships in Support of Stop the Spread Initiative

Springfield, MA –Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and Health and Human Services (HHS) Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris announce that as part of the Commonwealth’s Stop the Spread initiative the City of Springfield and the state Department of Public Health, in partnership with AFC Urgent Care and Tapestry Health will open free testing sites in the City of Springfield.

 

Governor Charlie Baker launched the Stop the Spread initiative on July 10, 2020.  The Commonwealth launched this strategic testing program to help stop and mitigate the community spread of the Coronavirus in communities across the state where there might be higher rates and potential for community spread.  This program supports the testing of asymptomatic individuals in the community.  Testing is provided at no cost to residents and will be available through August 14, 2020.

 

Mayor Sarno states, “As Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris and I have been saying since day one when the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic hit – testing, testing, testing!  After speaking with Lt. Governor Polito, I was happy to see that the Baker-Polito Administration announced additional Stop the Spread testing sites across the Commonwealth, including our Springfield.  While I appreciate the Governor’s initiative, there needs to be more of a full court press from the federal level to produce more testing capacity and much more testing turnaround in a timely fashion.  Without this, it defeats the purpose.  We cannot build true community and consumer confidence until there is adequate testing for asymptomatic individuals.  The Governor’s Stop the Spread initiative is a great state program to help address the need for additional testing throughout our City of Springfield and the Commonwealth but again, we still need adequate resources from the federal level.  I want to thank AFC Urgent Care and Tapestry Health for their partnership with the City and the state DPH.  As long as everyone continues to follow the public health and safety guidelines, we will get through this pandemic together as one.”

 

“I am grateful for those organizations who have stepped up to support the Stop the Spread initiative in Springfield.  These limited testing sites are not sufficient to gauge the penetration of the virus in Springfield,” said HHS Commissioner Caulton-Harris. “What is needed is a national testing strategy and a supply chain that can meet the testing needs of the entire United States.  All Americans should be able to get a COVID -19 test on demand.  It is the norm in other countries.  Test results that take over a week to turnaround is travesty.”

 

AFC Urgent Care at 415 Cooley Street, Springfield, MA will offer Asymptomatic COVID-19 testing through Friday, August 14, 2020.  Walk-ins are welcomed but to avoid long waiting times, residents are encouraged to call for an appointment at (413) 782-4878 or go to their website at www.afcurgentcarespringfield.com and click on the “Stop the Spread Asymptomatic COVID-19 Registration” link.

 

Tapestry Health will offer Asymptomatic COVID-19 testing at three sites and only on the specified dates and time.  All testing is by appointment only.  Those interested should call (413) 364-2149 for an appointment.  Please note that each site can only accommodate testing for 24 persons.

 

Below are the locations and times for each testing site.

 

AFC Urgent Care 415 Cooley Street Springfield, MA	Monday – Friday 11:00 – 7:00 p.m.   Saturday and Sunday 10:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Tapestry Health   *Limited testing available.  Please call for an appointment   Call (413) 364-2149 for an appointment.   Please note that each site can only accommodate testing for 24 persons.	·         South End Middle School, 36 Margaret Street, Springfield, MA – Friday, August 7, 2020   ·         Zanetti Montessori Magnet School, 474 Armory Street, Springfield, MA – Tuesday, August 11, 2020   ·         Kennedy Middle School, 1385 Berkshire Ave, Springfield, MA – Friday, August 14, 2020

 

In addition, Baystate Health is also planning on opening up a stand up site.  Location, time and appointment details TBA at a later date.