New Rochelle continues to operate drive-through coronavirus testing site

In order to get swabbed, people will need to make an appointment with a doctor’s prescription first.

News 12 Staff

Mar 13, 2020, 9:30 AM

Updated 1,517 days ago

Share:

New York's first mobile testing center has opened in New Rochelle.
Officials say Northwell Health has set up a drive-through coronavirus testing site at Glen Island Park.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo was on hand today, and says it is the first public drive-through testing facility on the East Coast. The facility has six lanes.
In order to get tested, people will need to make an appointment with a doctor’s prescription first. According to the state’s website, quarantined New Rochelle residents will be tested first.
Once they have an appointment, people will then drive into a tented area, get swabbed, and then the swab will be sent to a lab like BioReference Laboratories where they will be tested within 24-48 hours. Today they're expected to test up to 200 people, but the goal in the coming days is to increase that capacity to about 500.
"It is not only faster and easier, it's also smarter and safer because you're not exposing a person who may be positive," Cuomo said.
New Rochelle is currently at the center of New York's coronavirus outbreak, and officials have been focusing their efforts to stop the spread with the creation of a containment zone and pushing to get more and more New Yorkers tested.
Cuomo was adamant there are two ways to fight the virus - by reducing density and closing all events of groups over 500 people and for increased testing. He says testing people and finding out who tested positive, and then isolating them is the way to slow down the virus.
He says that he has lobbied Vice President Mike Pence to allow states to do more testing. “We are not scale. We need to change that quickly and let the federal government turn that function over to the states. He states do it anyway.. that’s our bread and butter. You could open up 500 to1,000 laboratories overnight if you just turn that responsibility back to the states.”
Cuomo says the mobile testing center will be open through the duration of the coronavirus pandemic, which he expects to be several months.
The number to call to make an appointment is (888) 364-3065.
CORONAVIRUS PREVENTION: What you can do to protect yourself
PHOTOS: The impact of the coronavirus outbreak around the world:
 
 
undefined
 
News 12 will host a 30-minute call-in show every night this week at 7 p.m. from March 9 to March 13 where experts will answer your questions about the coronavirus. The show will be followed by a special Facebook Live Q&A. The call in number is 914-378-4610.  
 


More from News 12
2:24
STORM WATCH: Showers, isolated thunderstorms during Wednesday morning commute

STORM WATCH: Showers, isolated thunderstorms during Wednesday morning commute

1:46
 21-year-old SUNY Purchase art student overcomes childhood trauma through music

21-year-old SUNY Purchase art student overcomes childhood trauma through music

1:15
Police: Man pulled from Ossining house fire dies at hospital

Police: Man pulled from Ossining house fire dies at hospital

1:08
Hospital workers picket over Westchester Medical Center Health Network layoffs

Hospital workers picket over Westchester Medical Center Health Network layoffs

0:57
5 puppies rescued from sealed shipping container on I-84 in Bedford

5 puppies rescued from sealed shipping container on I-84 in Bedford

1:42
Poughkeepsie council weighs opting into rent stabilization under Emergency Tenant Protection Act

Poughkeepsie council weighs opting into rent stabilization under Emergency Tenant Protection Act

1:58
Officials mull traffic safety projects following 5th child struck by car in 5 months in Rockland neighborhood

Officials mull traffic safety projects following 5th child struck by car in 5 months in Rockland neighborhood

0:36
Reports: Body of missing Army National Guard sergeant found

Reports: Body of missing Army National Guard sergeant found

0:25
Pine Bush man pleads guilty to aggravated vehicular assault that left teen paralyzed

Pine Bush man pleads guilty to aggravated vehicular assault that left teen paralyzed

0:39
Westchester County Health Department to inspect 235 children’s camps ahead of summer

Westchester County Health Department to inspect 235 children’s camps ahead of summer

0:24
Mount Vernon launches new grant program for small businesses

Mount Vernon launches new grant program for small businesses

0:39
 ‘Melanie’s Law’ passes state Senate, heads for final approval

‘Melanie’s Law’ passes state Senate, heads for final approval

0:29
Attorney General James sues local clinics for abortion-reversal claims

Attorney General James sues local clinics for abortion-reversal claims

0:20
East Ramapo parents rally for school reform

East Ramapo parents rally for school reform

1:56
Ceremony held to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day in White Plains

Ceremony held to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day in White Plains

1:42
24-year-old double organ transplant recipient hosts blood drive in Pomona

24-year-old double organ transplant recipient hosts blood drive in Pomona

1:49
SUNY Purchase faculty and students want disciplinary action against protesters dropped

SUNY Purchase faculty and students want disciplinary action against protesters dropped

0:50
Orange County cracks down on drivers who illegally pass school buses with cameras

Orange County cracks down on drivers who illegally pass school buses with cameras

1:36
‘Very best’ of PD: City of Newburgh promotes longtime lieutenant to chief

‘Very best’ of PD: City of Newburgh promotes longtime lieutenant to chief

0:23
State police work to ID body that washed ashore in Poughkeepsie

State police work to ID body that washed ashore in Poughkeepsie