Testing will not be available on Wednesday, November 25 and Thursday, November 26. Testing will resume on Friday, November 27.
There are several ways that Cambridge residents can get tested for COVID-19.
The state’s “Stop the Spread” testing sites are open to all Massachusetts residents, and testing is free of charge. The sites are located in several nearby communities (Chelsea, Everett, Revere, Winthrop). Many of these sites are walk-up or drive-through and do not require appointments. Details about each site are provided at https://www.mass.gov/info-details/stop-the-spread#eligibility-
The Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) test site at Assembly Square, 77 Middlesex Avenue, Somerville is free to CHA patients and Cambridge residents by appointment. It can be accessed by car, bicycle, or on foot. Appointment slots are limited, and they do not book out more than 5 days. Individuals without symptoms can call 617-665-2928 for an appointment. Individuals with symptoms are advised to contact their primary care provider.
Testing Sites
Book Appointment Online
Testing will not be available on Wednesday, November 25 and Thursday, November 26. Testing will resume on Friday, November 27.
The City of Cambridge and Cambridge Public Health Department (CPHD) are offering free COVID-19 testing for Cambridge residents. The PCR tests are anterior nasal swab tests and not the nasopharyngeal swab test that go all the way back in the nasal passages. No identification or Social Security number is required. All sites are wheelchair accessible.
NOTE: We urge those who would like to be tested to book an appointment in advance. Please keep checking back as new appointments are added as they become available.
Sundays:
- CambridgeSide in East Cambridge, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Drive-through testing by motor vehicle in the garage. Enter on First St. For Safety Reasons, this site cannot accommodate anyone arriving by bicycle or on foot). The CambridgeSide testing site is located in the upper parking garage on First Street. The upper parking garage will be used for COVID-19 testing only. There is no access to the testing site from inside CambridgeSide or from the lower parking garage.
Mondays:
- 50 Church St., 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Tuesdays:
- 50 Church St., 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Wednesdays: Testing will not be available on Wednesday, November 25
- 2254 Massachusetts Ave, St. John the Evangelist Church, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thursdays: Testing will not be available on Thursday, November 26
- CambridgeSide in East Cambridge, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Drive-through testing by motor vehicle in the garage. Enter on First St. For Safety Reasons, this site cannot accommodate anyone arriving by bicycle or on foot). The CambridgeSide testing site is located in the upper parking garage on First Street. The upper parking garage will be used for COVID-19 testing only. There is no access to the testing site from inside CambridgeSide or from the lower parking garage.
Fridays:
- 50 Church St., 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturdays:
- 131 Washington St, Pisani Center, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
To schedule an appointment, sign up online or call 617-349-9788
Book Appointment Online
Test Results
The Cambridge Public Health Department (CPHD) shares results with residents who receive testing at a mobile site or CHA stand-alone testing center.
Mobile Testing: Test results are typically available within 2 days on the online patient portal. Residents receive an email from careevolve@lknotification.com alerting them when results are ready on the portal. Cambridge residents can also request results by phone at the time of their appointment. For Cambridge residents requesting phone notification, the Cambridge Public Health Department will call with results typically within 3 business days of receiving them.
To find out the status of your test results, leave a message at 617-665-3848 and you will receive a call back.
Other Ways to Get Tested
If you are not a Cambridge resident or cannot access the Cambridge testing sites, there are several ways you can gain access to testing:
Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA)
CHA's new testing location is at 133 Middlesex Ave. in Somerville (Assembly Square). It is open to CHA patients and community members in their service areas (Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Revere, Somerville and Winthrop). It runs Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. You must have an appointment -- please call 617-665-2928 (Mon-Fri, 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.). You can come by car, by bicycle, or on foot. Please bring a picture ID. More information is available on CHA's website.
CHA has set up a voice mailbox (617-665-1102) to answer questions or concerns about COVID-19 test results. Callers are asked to leave their name, date of birth and phone number for a call back. CHA will respond within one business day. The mailbox is open to community members who have been tested at CHA, including patients, residents and first responders.
Contact Your Health Care Provider
If you think you may have COVID-19, call your health care provider and tell them about your symptoms. COVID-19 symptoms may include fever, sore throat, loss of sense of smell, cough, difficulty breathing, body aches, or chills.
Your health care provider will help you decide whether testing is appropriate. If your provider thinks you should be tested and cannot do the test on-site, they will make the referral to a testing site near you.
Here is a current list of COVID-19 testing sites in Massachusetts: https://www.mass.gov/doc/ma-covid-19-testing-sites/download
Use the State’s Free Online Telehealth Service
The state is partnering with Doctor on Demand to offer free telehealth visits to Massachusetts residents who want to get a quick assessment of symptoms and/or do not have health insurance. Through this service, you’ll be evaluated online and connected to testing if needed. To access this free service, go to: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/check-your-symptoms-for-covid-19-online
Call the State’s 24-Hour Hotline
If you do not have internet access or do not feel comfortable using websites, you can call 2-1-1, a 24-hour state-supported telephone hotline. Hotline staff can provide guidance on testing.