Acushnet Fire Chief Gallagher shares experience visiting New Bedford’s COVID-19 testing van

“Earlier today I went, without an appointment, to the taxpayer-funded Covid-19 testing van located for the day at Seven Hills in the South End of New Bedford. The staff was exceptionally pleasant, the process was easy and — as you can see — the test is self-administered. I was asked for my name, date of birth, address, email and telephone number. That was it! I was in and out in a little over 10 minutes. Didn’t even need to provide a reason for the test. The results will be emailed to me in 24-48 hours.

“The state is offering free Covid-19 testing in New Bedford and seven other cities as part of the Governor’s “Stop the Spread” campaign. The reason these communities were selected is that the percentage of positive Covid tests are higher than the state average and overall testing has slowed. Testing is so very important to stopping the spread which is so very important to getting schools safely opened which is so very important to the economy. Less infections also reduces the risk to health care providers and public safety folk.

“I did this to demonstrate how easy it is to do. If a Fairhaven resident who works in Acushnet can travel to New Bedford for a free test anyone can and everyone should (remember, New Bedford’s positive rate is higher then the state average and the city is the hub of our region).

“The ease of this testing could be made even easier if the (for some) traveling obstacle could be removed. So, would you be interested in this free Covid testing if the van came to Acushnet, Fairhaven or other south coast communities? So far it has been limited to the city. This state project will continue until early August.

“Let us know if you would get tested if the van came to town. We could always ask the state to expand the boundaries given the daily flow of residents from the suburbs to the city.

“I’ll let you know when my test results are received.”-Acushnet Fire Chief Kevin Gallagher.

Check future locations and schedule here.

Acushnet Fire & EMS photo.