Mobile COVID-19 testing sites may close due to storm

BOSTON — Amid an increase in demand for tests, Boston’s mobile COVID-19 testing sites may close Thursday due to the impending snowstorm.

In Jamaica Plain, one of the city’s newest mobile testing sites is seeing an increase in demand for COVID-19 testing. As the holidays approach, along with plans for travel and family visits, many are lining up outside at the city’s free testing locations.

“Even though there’s a lot of people coming in – we do 600, 700 test a day – we’re able to keep the line moving pretty quickly,” said Aaron Chan, director of nursing for LCG Boston, which partnered with the city to set up JP’s walk-up testing site at the Anna Mae Cole Community Center.

“We’re all trying to sort of improve the workflow, especially with the cold weather; they’re not waiting outside too long.”

That winter weather – a significant snowfall expected between Wednesday night and Thursday – has Chan and other coordinators weighing whether to close the testing site.

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“We’re sort of working with the city,” Chan said. “We may postpone Thursday’s testing if we get a lot of snow. There’s going to be quite the cleanup, people won’t be able to get here safely. So we may postpone to Friday. If not, just reopen on Sunday during our normal hours.”

People arriving for testing must register on site before self-administering their 15-second nose swab and handing their sample to a nurse. While turnaround has typically been 24 to 48 hours, Chan said results from afternoon and evening tests have been coming in by the next morning.

Many who lined up outside the community center Tuesday were looking to get tested before the holidays and the storm.

“I actually work in a store,” said Linda Seminario. “So, I am very susceptible to getting [COVID-19]. And my parents want to come see me during the holiday season. So, I figured now is a really good time to try and get tested before the snow, before the holidays, to just make sure everyone stays safe.”

“I’m going home for the holidays,” added friend Mikayla Roderick. “So I thought when the snow is coming in, I might as well go and get one.”

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East Boston Neighborhood Health Center will also decide Wednesday whether to close its pop-up testing site. That location too has seen an uptick in demand for tests similar to pre-Thanksgiving demand.

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