Officials: Long Island Launches More COVID-19 Test Sites

The Long Island government and medical authorities have announced that they will open two more sites in Nassau and Suffolk to conduct free testing of COVID-19, an important weapon to slow the outbreak of viruses throughout the region and across the country. did.

Northwell Health, in collaboration with Suffolk County and the towns of Huntington, opened a site on Monday at the Dolan Family Health Center in Greenlawn.

In Nassau, Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital will announce a new drive-through COVID-19 rapid inspection site on December 7 under a permanent “all-weather tent” on the Oceanside campus. Officials said the hospital continued to test COVID-19 at its original location until the new tent opened, with about 10,000 tests.

Officials said these new sites have joined other test facilities throughout the island.

Suffolk has been “against the trend” for months, but the coronavirus surge is now here, says county executive Steve Beron during a press conference outside the Dolan Family Health Center in Northwell Health. I did. COVID-19 is a disease caused by the coronavirus.

The county “had enjoyed this low-numbered period for a long time,” said Belone, who said the COVID-19 positive rate was below 1%.

He said the positive rate in the county is currently at the “front line” of 5%.

“It’s clear that we’re in that second wave now,” Verone said. “The immediate challenge is to do everything we can to be able to control these numbers to save lives. From our experience, that important factor is testing. Testing people To be able to quarantine. ”To reduce the spread of the virus.

“Until you get the vaccine, testing is the key to controlling the virus,” Nassau County executive Laura Callan said in a telephone interview.

According to Karan, on weekends after Thanksgiving, tens of thousands of residents, both public and private, per day COVID-19 (18,620 on Fridays, 17,980 on Saturdays, 14,896 on Sundays). I was inspected.

“We definitely want people to take the test because it helps to contain this.”

She said the state drive-through test site in Jones Beach was still open and suggested that residents could also ask for a reservation at 888-364-3065.

Dr. William Gehrhardt, medical director at the Dolan Health Center, said he does not provide rapid testing, but results are available within 1-3 days. Belone said the county being tested by the state of New York hopes to be able to provide a quick test to the health center soon.

Wesley Boucher, 58, from Lake Ronkonkoma, who works in the parking lot of the Health Center, took the test on Tuesday “in respect of myself, my family, friends, and colleagues I work with.” He said his 84-year-old mother lives with him.

Dr. Nick Fitterman, Secretary-General of Huntington Hospital, said at a news conference that the test was supported by “educational and communication efforts, as well as providing food for families in need of evacuation.” .. Noting the “ravages” seen in the region from COVID-19 in March and April, he added, “These efforts will help prevent it from happening again.”

Huntington Town supervisor Chadolpinatch said outreach is being done through robocalls to residents in English and Spanish.

Northwell officials said the test site will offer up to 150 diagnostic tests per day until December 18. To make a reservation, call the Northwell Health COVID-19 hotline (833-422-7369).

In Nassau, a collaboration between Hempstead Town in Nassau County and Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital has created a new drive-through COVID-19 test area on the Oceanside campus. Hempstead Town provided a grant of over $ 445,000 and the county provided test equipment received from New York State.

Hempstead Town supervisor Don Krabin said the need for further testing was clear as the virus surged.

“The numbers are growing,” he said, adding that the town is also affiliated with Northwell Health at a pilot facility in Town Park.

Dr. Arlongrat, director of medicine at Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital and responsible for infectious diseases, said: “If people don’t realize they’re positive … they don’t take the necessary precautions,” they wear face masks and socially move away.

Hospitals that perform about 75 tests daily want to increase the number, according to Grat. If you are looking for a free test, please call us at 516-390-2888 to book.