NY opening drive-through testing facilities in Monroe, Erie and Niagara counties
Phase II antibody tests suggest 14.9% of state residents have Covid-19 antibodies
Press Release, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office
Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the state is opening five new drive-through testing facilities in Monroe, Erie, Broome, Niagara and Oneida Counties.
On Saturday, the state expanded diagnostic testing criteria to include all first responders, health care workers and essential employees even if they aren’t symptomatic. These individuals will be able to get tested for COVID-19 at these new drive-through facilities. Residents who would like to be tested at these facilities must make an appointment by calling 888-364-3065 or online at www.covid19screening.health.ny.gov.
The governor also announced the results of phase two of the state’s antibody testing survey. The preliminary results show 14.9 percent of the population have COVID-19 antibodies. The preliminary results of phase one of the state’s antibody testing survey released on April 23rd showed 13.9 percent of the population have COVID-19 antibodies.
The Governor also announced the state is expanding its antibody testing survey starting today to further determine the spread of infections among frontline workers and first responders. The state is testing today 1,000 New York City Fire Department officers and 1,000 New York City Police Department officers from across all five boroughs, and this week will test 3,000 health care workers and 1,000 transit workers for antibodies.
The Governor also announced that two million bottles of NYS Clean hand sanitizer have been distributed across all 62 counties to date. The hand sanitizer has been distributed to hospitals, nursing homes, food banks, food handlers, Red Cross, first responders, schools and colleges, healthcare workers, homeless organizations, law enforcement, unions, transportation systems and faith-based organizations
“The NYS on PAUSE regulations are set to expire statewide on May 15th and some regions may be ready to begin re-opening at that time, but we have to be smart about it and make sure each industry and business is putting the necessary precautions in place so the infection rate doesn’t go back up,” Cuomo said. “Antibody and diagnostic testing will be a key component of our phased re-opening because it tells us the people who were infected and have now resolved, as well as the overall infection rate across the state.”
Finally, the Governor confirmed 3,951 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 291,996 confirmed cases in New York State.