As New York State aggressively expands COVID-19 diagnostic testing capacity, the Department of Health has revised guidance to increase testing for frontline workers, including all first responders, health care workers, and essential employees who interact with the public, while continuing to prioritize resources. Testing for COVID-19 shall be authorized by a health care provider for individuals who meet one or more of the following criteria:
- * An individual is symptomatic or has a history of symptoms of COVID-19 (e.g. fever, cough, and/or trouble breathing), particularly if the individual is 70 years of age or older, the individual has a compromised immune system, or the
- individual has an underlying health condition; or
- * An individual has had close (i.e. within six feet) or proximate contact with a person known to be positive with COVID-19; or
- * An individual is subject to a precautionary or mandatory quarantine; or
- * An individual is employed as a health care worker, first responder, or other essential worker who directly interacts with the public while working; or
- * An individual presents with a case where the facts and circumstances – as determined by the treating clinician in consultation with state or local department of health officials – warrant testing.
How can I be tested for COVID-19?
- * Contact your health care provider to find out if they offer testing.
- * Call the NY State COVID-19 Hotline at (888) 364-3065 to make an appointment at the drive-through COVID-19 testing center at Glen Island in New Rochelle, or at walk through testing sites in Mount Vernon and Yonkers.
- * You can also use the New York State Online Screening Toolto share your symptoms and pre-register for testing.
- * Call (914) 202-4530 to make an appointment at the COVID-19 drive through testing site at Westchester Medical Centerin Valhalla.
Testing is free to all eligible New Yorkers as ordered by a health care provider or by calling the NYS COVID-19 hotline at 1-888-364-3065.
Your local health department is your community contact for COVID19 concerns.