News

The NYC Test & Trace Corps today announced the expansion of rapid point of care testing to reach communities most in need, with rapid testing to become available at more than 20 sites in the coming weeks. As part of the effort to increase access for more New Yorkers, rapid antigen testing is launching at two sites starting this week.

“As rates of COVID-19 begin to climb in our neighborhoods this season, New York City is meeting the challenge with the strongest and most advanced testing infrastructure in the country,” said NYC Test & Trace Corps Executive Director Dr. Ted Long. “The addition of the new rapid antigen test will increase our ability to offer rapid point of care testing at no cost for the community, including the molecular rapid testing already being provided at high volume and in great demand.”

Rapid or point-of-care tests provide results within 15 minutes and can either be molecular, also known as PCR, or antigen. The tests use a nasal swab for specimen collection and positive results are highly accurate. The Test & Trace Corps subsequently confirms any negative result obtained from a rapid on-site test with a molecular test performed in a laboratory.

Test & Trace Corps sites introducing rapid antigen testing this week include Co-op City Retail Space in the Bronx on Tuesday and Bay Ridge Fifth Avenue in Brooklyn on Thursday. Rapid PCR testing, already in use at other sites, is being added to the Greenbelt Recreation Center on Staten Island on Wednesday.

With the addition of the three sites, the Test & Trace Corps has added or opened rapid point of care testing at 10 sites in areas of high need over the past month. Other sites offering rapid PCR testing since November 5 include the St. James Rec Center in the Bronx, Queens Public Library at Lefferts, St. George Ferry Terminal in Staten Island, Northern Boulevard in Queens, Mt. Loretto Sportsplex in Staten Island, Starrett City in Brooklyn, and Highbridge Pool in the Bronx.

The expansion will bring rapid point of care testing to a total of nearly 25 Test & Trace Corps sites across communities in the coming weeks. More sites are anticipated to open or add rapid testing by early 2021.

Rapid testing is at no cost to the patient and is a part of the City’s ongoing efforts to increase access to testing and provide point-of-care testing to communities in need, so that New Yorkers can get tested and continue to take steps to help stop the spread of COVID -19. Rapid testing results are provided on site, with immediate connection to contact tracers, information and free resources available to support those who test positive.

New York City received 200,000 of the rapid antigen tests, the Abbot BinaxNOW Ag, from New York State at no cost. Use of the test follows a careful evaluation over the past several weeks by the Test & Trace Corps working closely with medical professionals, advisors from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and several City agencies.

New Rapid Point of Care Testing Sites

Co-op City Retail Space
105 Dreiser Loop
Bronx, NY 10475
Monday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Rapid Antigen Testing Available Here

Greenbelt Recreation Center
501 Brielle Avenue
Staten Island, NY 10314
Monday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Rapid Molecular Testing Available Here

Bay Ridge 5th Ave
8511 & 8515 5th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11209
Monday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Rapid Antigen Testing Available Here Starting Thursday, December 3

Contact: Press Office, 212-788-3339

About Test & Trace Corps

The Test & Trace Corps is the City’s comprehensive effort to test, trace, and provide support for every case of COVID-19 and every person exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. Through a partnership with NYC Health + Hospitals and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Test & Trace Corps allows the City to immediately isolate and care for those who test positive for the virus and then rapidly track, assess, and quarantine anyone who may have been exposed. To help all New Yorkers safely separate at home and monitor their health status, the Take Care pillar of the Test & Trace Corps also offers free hotel rooms with wraparound services for New Yorkers who are unable to safely separate in their own homes. For those safely separating at home, contact tracers perform daily calls and conduct in-person visits as necessary. These calls allow tracers to gauge the progress of cases, ensure proper compliance with separation protocol, and connect people to more supportive services as necessary. Today, 98% of all COVID-19 cases and 96% of contacts reported following isolation and quarantine requirements.

About NYC Health + Hospitals

NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlus health plan—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 42,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NYCHealthSystem or Twitter at @NYCHealthSystem.