Town Of Bedford Coronavirus Testing Program

Press release from the Town of Bedford:

December 9, 2020

Yesterday, the Town announced the launch of a free community COVID-19 testing program for Bedford residents ages 4 and older, which begins on Saturday, December 12, 2020, and is anticipated to take place each weekend for the remainder of the month. All of the appointment slots filled up within hours, and the Town has received a great deal of enthusiastic feedback about this opportunity, both of which are reflections of the demand for testing, especially locations that will not require a long wait or out-of-pocket expense.

The community testing program follows the successful launch and execution of an employee testing program in November that was initiated and staffed by the Bedford Fire Department to address the growing need for COVID-19 testing. As of Monday, November 23, 2020, symptomatic and asymptomatic testing is available to all employees (Town and school) on a weekly basis. The testing model can, and will, be flexibly deployed for on-demand testing in response to specific issues. An example would be addressing an outbreak in one of our public-school classrooms, or positive cases related to a school-sponsored sports team or after school activity. This new Town program supports the School Committee goal of ensuring limited interruptions to in-person learning and ensures continuity of operations for Town services.

These programs are made possible under the updated Statewide Treatment Protocols from the Massachusetts Office of Emergency Medical Services that was released in October. The updated protocol enables firefighters to collect COVID-19 tests that are then sent to a laboratory for diagnostic evaluation. With this new ability to test, the Fire Department proactively sprang into action. In the first two weeks of the employee testing program, the Town has tested approximately 160 employees using a similar logistical model to the Town’s drive-through flu vaccine clinics. We are hopeful that with this proven model we will also be able to pivot to COVID-19 vaccine administration.

The Fire Department is partnering with Pro EMS and the Broad Institute, a testing model used in many other communities. Medical and laboratory testing, such as this program, are exempt from Massachusetts public procurement requirements. Nevertheless, the Pro EMS/ Broad model was chosen after careful evaluation, as well as review and approval from Town legal counsel. Pro EMS was selected based on its merits, and also that it is the primary model being used by many municipal and private ambulance services in this region, and the broader consortium of Emerson Hospital, Lowell General Hospital, and Mt. Auburn Hospital.

The Town of Bedford Fire Department COVID-19 testing program costs approximately $50 per test, which includes testing kits, supplies, and staffing to collect specimens. Staffing costs for the firefighters to collect the specimen is financially supported by CARES Act funding and the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) State of Emergency funding, which remains in effect throughout the Massachusetts Statewide Emergency declaration, announced by Governor Baker on March 10, 2020. Federal CARES Act funding is currently set to expire on December 31, 2020.

In the month of the December, the Town plans to perform over 1,000 COVID-19 tests. After December 31, 2020, the cost of the Town testing program will continue to be subsidized at a 75% reimbursement rate by FEMA. The Town is currently working on a funding plan to address the remaining unsubsidized costs of the testing program.

In addition to subsidizing COVID-19 testing, CARES Act funding has also been used for personal protective equipment, classroom modifications, expanded school staffing costs, air filtration systems, social distancing measures, plexiglass, and more. CARES Act expenditures spent to date have been expended properly in accordance with funding guidelines, approved by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, and reviewed by the Town of Bedford Finance Committee. Per CARES Act guidelines, Town funds remaining on December 31, 2020 must be returned to the federal government. The Town of Bedford does not anticipate having to return any unspent funds. In advance of the December 31, 2020 deadline, the Fire Department has proactively ordered testing kits, to ensure the Town can continue this important initiative.

Led by the Fire Department, the development of the employee and resident testing program has involved input from and collaboration with the school superintendent, school nurses, Kids’ Club program Director, Board of Health, Health and Human Services Director, Facilities Director, Police Chief, and Town Manager. Outside consultants including, but not limited to, Lahey Clinic, Pro EMS, and the Broad Institute have participated in program evaluation.

The following Town officials have expressed their support for the Town’s testing program and COVID-19 pandemic management:

Ed Pierce, Chair of the Select Board: “In this time and under these circumstances we are thrilled with the initiative the Fire Department firefighters and paramedics have taken under the CARES Act and FEMA to be able to offer COVID testing for free to the residents of the Town.”

Margot Fleischman, Clerk of the Select Board: “I am so grateful to the fire department and our trained paramedics for their partnership in making a Town-wide testing program a reality. We’re all looking for a safe and convenient way to get a test when we need one, and I couldn’t be prouder that our first responders stepped up to fill this critical need.”

Sarah Thompson, Chair of the Board of Health: "Following the BOH request for more testing, as chair of the Board of Health, I am pleased that the Town is providing this additional COVID-19 testing resource to residents and employees. Availability of testing is an important component of efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.”

Dan Brosgol, Chair of the Bedford School Committee: “I’m thrilled that the Town has mobilized resources to be able to provide free COVID-19 testing for all Town and Bedford Public Schools employees. This is a critical tool in helping keep our children in school as much as possible as we continue to weather this pandemic. I’d like to especially thank Bedford Fire Department Chief Dave Grunes, and other Town and School staff, who were instrumental in making this happen.”

Ben Thomas, Chair of the Finance Committee: “At the October 29th meeting of the Finance Committee, we examined the additional costs and funding due to the pandemic. Information and reports covering the costs and the status of reimbursement from CARES and FEMA were discussed. Town staff was open and clear about the expenses, and the reimbursement activities. The Town has been proactive in tracking and obtaining these funds in a timely manner and continues to do a good job in reacting to this situation.”

Phillip Conrad, Superintendent of the Bedford Public Schools: “Having this resource available for our school employees and families is a key component of our efforts to keep our school buildings open safely. I am grateful for all of the collaborative efforts of the entire Bedford COVID-19 Task force.”

David Grunes, Fire Chief: “I am proud of my team for jumping on this initiative—from the youngest firefighter to the most senior officers, they have enthusiastically taken on this new responsibility. Our staff is doing this because it helps our Town, consistent with our mission to serve the community.”

Charlie Dias, Firefighter/Paramedic: “It’s been gratifying to be able to serve the Bedford community in this new way and do my part to help out during the pandemic.”

Sarah Stanton, Bedford Town Manager: “We heard the call for more testing from our statewide leaders, the Board of Health, the School Committee, parents, and residents, and the Fire Department sprang into action as soon as given the green light from the Commonwealth. This program will provide incredible value to Bedford, and our Town and School employees. I'm thankful our Fire Department was willing to get trained and launch this program in a continued act of service to our community.”

More information on the Town testing program can be viewed by watching the November 18th Board of Health discussion on this topic, featuring Fire Chief David Grunes, (starts at the 51 minute mark): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_ufg6UY35c

More information on Town of Bedford CARES Act expenditures can be viewed by watching the October 29th Finance Committee discussion on this topic featuring Finance Director Victor Garofalo, and Town Manager Sarah Stanton (starts at the 1 hour and 4 minute mark): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FkTH5QVxqU

Testing dates will be posted on www.Bedfordma.gov as well as Town social media channels.

In addition to the Town’s testing program, residents can find free, state-sponsored testing opportunities at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stop-the-spread, and additional testing sites, from Bedford and beyond, at https://memamaps.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=eba3f0395451430b9f631cb095febf13.

This press release was produced by the Town of Bedford. The views expressed here are the author’s own.