COVID-19 Information

Stoneham Health Department Announces Free Antigen COVID-19 Test Kits Available for Pick-Up

March 2, 2022 UPDATE: The Health Department and the Senior Center will continue to distribute rapid tests to residents as long as we have them! Please stop in any time during Town Hall hours and we are happy to provide them. The Senior Center is open 8:30 AM- 4 PM, Monday-Friday. 

For the most recent guidance on COVID-19 from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, click here. 


FEBRUARY 18, 2022 

STONEHAM— The Stoneham Health Department announces that free at-home COVID-19 antigen test kits will be available to residents for pickup during the week of February 21, 2022. 

Where & When: 

Test kits can be picked up at the Stoneham High School, 149 Franklin St: 

•    Tuesday, February 22nd: 2 PM-7 PM 

Test kits can be picked up at the Health Department in basement of Town Hall, 35 Central St:

•    Tuesday, February 22nd: 2 PM-6 PM 

•    Wednesday, February 23rd: 10 AM-3 PM 

•    Thursday, February 24th: 10 AM-3 PM

•    Friday, February 25th: 9 AM-11 AM

Test kits can be picked up at the Senior Center at 136 Elm St:

•    Tuesday, February 22nd: 10 AM-3 PM

•    Wednesday, February 23rd: 10 AM-3 PM 

•    Thursday, February 24th: 10 AM-3 PM

•    Friday, February 25th: 10 AM-3 PM

What: 

All Stoneham residents are eligible to receive the self-test kits.

There is a limit of two kits, which each contains two tests, for households of one or two people. Households of three or more are eligible to receive up to four kits.

Face masks are required for pickup. Residents should note that test kits are not for resale.

Anyone with questions should contact the Stoneham Health Department at 781-279-2621, or ehull@stoneham-ma.gov.

“At-home rapid tests are a simple and convenient way to screen for COVID-19, and can help mitigate the spread in our community. We encourage all residents to pick up available test kits,” Health Agent Erin Hull said. 

###


FACE COVERINGS

At their meeting on February 15, 2022, the Stoneham Board of Health rescinded our local mask mandate, effective 2/16/22. 

Please click here for the most recent face covering guidance from the MA Department of Public Health. 

Please click here to view DESE's 2/9/22 Press Release regarding masks in public schools. 

TESTING 

Visit https://www.covidtests.gov/ to order 4 rapid tests per household, delivered directly to your residence.

To locate a COVID-19 test close to you, follow this link: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/find-a-covid-19-test

Square One Mall in Saugus is still open and providing free testing for all, including uninsured individuals: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-test-site-details?FID=2232

Quarantine & Isolation Guidance 

MA Quarantine & Isolation guidance: 

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/isolation-and-quarantine-guidance-for-the-general-public 

VACCINES 

In partnership with Cataldo, the Stoneham High School is hosting a COVID-19 vaccine clinic for individuals 5 and up on Monday 2/7/22 and Monday 2/28/22 from 3 pm-7 pm. Pre-registration is required: https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/cataldo?calendar=a813c646-c4d4-4763-803f-d9367c90c38c

To access your COVID-19 vaccine record: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/requesting-a-copy-of-your-covid-19-vaccination-record

We encourage all eligible residents to get vaccinated, please visit https://vaxfinder.mass.gov/ to find a vaccine provider near you.

If you are unable to use this system, please call 211 and follow the prompts to speak to a representative who can help you find a local appointment.

If you are homebound and over age 65 or immunocompromised, please contact the COVID-19 In-Home Vaccination Program Central Intake Line at (833) 983-0485: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid19-in-home-vaccination-program to get a vaccine in your home.

Enable MASS NOTIFY on your smartphone to be notified if you are a close contact to a positive COVID-19 case: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/enable-massnotify-on-your-smartphone

Please click here to see a breakdown of vaccines by municipality.  

Archive: 

***The Stoneham Board of Health has rescinded the local mask mandate, effective February 16, 2022***

After careful consideration, the Stoneham Board of Health has decided to mandate face coverings in grocery stores and pharmacies in Stoneham, effective January 7, 2022. 

Mask Advisory

Mask poster for businesses

Masks continue to be an effective tool to slow community transmission of the COVID-19 Omicron variant: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cloth-face-cover-guidance.html

DECEMBER 7, 2021 COVID UPDATE AND ISOLATION GUIDANCE

Please visit https://www.mass.gov/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19 for the most up-to-date information related to COVID-19 in Massachusetts.

At this time, all residents are strongly recommended to wear a face covering in indoor public spaces, here's why: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/science/science-briefs/masking-science-sars-cov2.html

As of 11/3/2021, children ages 5-11 years old are eligible to get the Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccinations-for-children-ages-5-11

Our ambulance provider Cataldo has partnered with the Stoneham Public Schools to vaccinate children ages 5-18, first dose clinic will be 11/18/21, second dose will be 12/9/21, both at the Stoneham High School, pre-register here:  

https://home.color.com/vaccine/register/cataldo?calendar=a813c646-c4d4-4763-803f-d9367c90c38c

Vaccines 

We encourage all eligible residents to get vaccinated, please visit https://vaxfinder.mass.gov/ to find a vaccine provider near you. 

If you are unable to use this system, please call 211 and follow the prompts to speak to a representative who can help you find a local appointment. 

If you are homebound and over age 65 or immunocompromised, please contact the COVID-19 In-Home Vaccination Program Central Intake Line at (833) 983-0485: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-in-home-vaccination-program to get a vaccine in your home. 

MA vaccine information can also be found here: https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine



PRESS RELEASE APRIL 27, 2021

Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that Massachusetts will reopen some outdoor Phase 4, Step 2 industries effective May 10th and put plans in place for further reopening on May 29th and August 1st. The Administration continues to take steps to reopen the Commonwealth's economy with public health metrics continuing to trend in a positive direction. This includes drops in average daily COVID cases and hospitalizations. Massachusetts remains first in the nation for first vaccine doses and total doses administered per capita, among states with more than 5 million people. The Administration will also relax the Face Coverings Order for some outdoor settings, effective April 30th.  

Face Coverings Order: 


Effective April 30th, the Face Coverings Order will be relaxed for some outdoor settings.

Face coverings will only be required outside in public when it is not possible to socially distance, and at other times required by sector-specific guidance.

Face coverings will still be required at all times in indoor public places. Face coverings will also continue to be required at all times at events, whether held indoors or outdoors and whether held in a public space or private home, except for when eating or drinking.

At smaller gatherings in private homes, face coverings are recommended but not required. The $300 fine as an enforcement mechanism will be eliminated.

For more information, visit mass.gov/reopening.

Effective Monday, May 10th:


Large venues such as indoor and outdoor stadiums, arenas and ballparks currently open as part of Phase 4, Step 1 at 12% will be permitted to increase capacity to 25%.

The Commonwealth will reopen some outdoor Phase 4, Step 2 industries including amusement parks, theme parks and outdoor water parks that will be permitted to operate at a 50% capacity after submitting safety plans to the Department of Public Health.

Road races and other large, outdoor organized amateur or professional group athletic events will be permitted to take place with staggered starts after submitting safety plans to a local board of health or the DPH.

Youth and adult amateur sports tournaments will be allowed for moderate and high risk sports.

Singing will also be permitted indoors with strict distancing requirements at performance venues, restaurants, event venues and other businesses.

Effective May 29th:


Subject to public health and vaccination data, gathering limits will increase to 200 people indoors and 250 people outdoors for event venues, public settings and private settings.

Subject to public health and vaccination data, additional Phase 4, Step 2 industries will be permitted to open including:

  • Street festivals, parades and agricultural festivals, at 50% of their previous capacity and after submitting safety plans to the local board of health.
  • Bars, beer gardens, breweries, wineries and distilleries, will be subject to restaurant rules with seated service only, a 90 minute limit and no dance floors.

Subject to public health and vaccination data, the restaurant guidance will be updated to eliminate the requirement that food be served with alcohol and to increase the maximum table size to 10.

Effective August 1st:


Subject to public health and vaccination data, remaining industries will be permitted to open including:

  • Dance clubs, and nightclubs
  • Saunas, hot-tubs, steam rooms at fitness centers, health clubs and other facilities
  • Indoor water parks
  • Ball pits

All industry restrictions will be lifted at that time, and capacity will increase to 100% for all industries, with businesses encouraged to continue following best practices. The gathering limit will be rescinded.

Depending on vaccine distribution and public health data, the Administration may consider re-evaluating the August 1st date.

The Department of Public Health will also continue to issue guidance as needed, including guidance to still require masks indoors.

###

COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Stoneham Residents

Effective March 22, 2021, workers in certain categories are eligible to get vaccinated, please check your eligibility here: https://www.mass.gov/covid-19-vaccine

To pre-register or to find a vaccine location, please visit: 

https://vaxfinder.mass.gov/ 

Effective 3/11/21, K-12 educators, school staff, and child care workers are eligible to get vaccinated. 

People with no computer access can call 2-1-1 or 877-211-6277 for assistance finding an appointment.

The state COVID-19 website is the best place for the most up-to-date vaccine information. For those without access to email, please call 781-279-2621 and leave a message and a member of our staff will return your call during business hours. Thank you.

COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Massachusetts’ planning and preparation for a COVID-19 vaccine

Please watch this video if you are having trouble using the PrepMod platform to register (created by the Malden Health Department): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-evpnqKq2s 

If you are a veteran, please contact the VA you receive services from to get vaccinated. Each VA location will have different eligibility requirements. Here is a link to the VA in Bedford's COVID-19 vaccine information page: https://www.bedford.va.gov/services/covid-19-vaccines.asp.. Here is the link to the VA in Jamaica Plain:   https://www.boston.va.gov/services/covid-19-vaccines.asp