News

The NYC Test & Trace Corps today announced a new record for the most COVID-19 tests ever performed across the City in a single week, with 500,000 tests conducted from November 18 through November 24, including a single-day milestone of 95,000 tests on November 23rd. Citywide testing capacity now stands at 120,000 tests per day, and testing options continue to expand with the launch of rapid testing today at LaGuardia Airport.

“Fighting COVID-19 requires that all New Yorkers get tested in order to keep our city safe. New Yorkers heard our call and turned out to receive half a million tests in a single week,” said NYC Test & Trace Corps Executive Director Dr. Ted Long. “New York City has built the strongest testing infrastructure in the country, and we need everyone to join the effort to stop the virus. As we reach new heights in testing, our contact tracing program continues to show its strongest performance to date in reaching over 90% people with COVID-19, and confirming that 98% are appropriately isolating to break the chains of transmission. This shows what we can accomplish when New Yorkers work together.”

Testing capacity citywide now stands at 120,000 tests per day, with more than 300 sites across the city. Testing options continue to expand as the Test & Trace Corps regularly opens new sites that offer testing at no cost to communities most in need. Offerings range from more permanent community sites to mobile units and self-testing sites hosted by partner organizations.

The latest addition is the start of rapid testing today at the LaGuardia Airport COVID-19 testing site operated by the Test & Trace Corps in partnership with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey serving travelers, airport employees and the local community. The site will now have capacity to provide approximately 250 rapid point-of-care molecular tests per day, with results generally returned within 15 minutes. Those who test positive will be able to connect immediately with a contact tracer for accelerated contact tracing, and get free resources needed to safely separate at home or in a free hotel room provided by the Take Care program of the Test & Trace Corps.

New Rapid Point of Care Testing Service

LaGuardia Airport
Terminal B Parking Garage, Level 1
Queens, NY 11371
Monday – Sunday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Rapid Molecular Testing Available Here

To find a testing site near you, visit nyc.gov/covidtest or call the NYC Test & Trace Corps hotline at 212-COVID19. Check wait times at City testing sites by visiting testandtrace.nyc.

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.