WORCESTER, Mass. - Monday marked another day of long lines at the Mercantile Center COVID-19 testing site in downtown Worcester.

Hundreds of people lined up to get tested following the holiday season, including 250 people tested in the first hour the clinic was open on Monday. 

In an email to Spectrum News 1, a UMass Memorial Health spokesperson says they're testing the same number of people each day compared to this time last year -- about 1,500 people per day during the recent surge in coronavirus. 

Last year, however, the positivity rate was around 18%. During the current surge, the positivity rate has "skyrocketed" to 30%.

Mercantile Center COVID-19 Testing Schedule:

  • Monday, Jan. 3 -- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Tuesday, Jan 4 -- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Jan 5. -- 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
  • Thursday, January 6 -- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Stop the Spread site run by UMass Memorial Health will be open for testing Monday through Thursday. The site will be offering COVID-19 vaccines on Friday. 

No appointment is needed and walk-ins are welcome.