The number of Winthrop residents testing positive for COVID reached an all time high between December 26 and January 9 but the numbers are starting to come down according to Director of the Winthrop Department of Public Health & Clinical Services Meredith Hurley, RN, MPH.
Between December 26 and January 8 there were 965 positive tests out of 3,850 Winthrop residents tested. This translated into 2.5 out of every 10 Winthrop residents caught the virus during that time period. Only 8 percent of Winthrop residents tested positive for the virus between December 11 and December 25 so there was a 212.5 percent increase in positive tests between December 11 and January 8.
However, Meredith the latest numbers due out next week should reflect a decrease in the number of residents testing positive.
“We have seen a decrease in case counts in the past seven days and I expect these numbers to be lower next week,†she said.
Hurley and the Town of Winthrop are making residents aware that the federal government has launched an online resource to order free rapid COVID-19 tests.
According to an advisory sent out by DPH spokesperson Jordan Mayblum, each American household is entitled to free rapid COVID-19 tests, which can be ordered online at COVIDtests.gov. At the outset of the program, each household will be limited to four testing kits, which will be shipped for free to homes via the United States Postal Service. Ordering is as simple as entering your name and address.
“There is no cost to obtain the tests, which will be mailed 7-12 days after ordering,†wrote Mayblum. “While initial orders for free tests are capped at four per household, residents may independently purchase rapid antigen tests from local retailers and have up to eight covered by their health insurance for each person on their plan.â€