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NYC Test & Trace Corps Announces New COVID Testing Mobile Units

New purpose-built mobile testing units will prioritize testing in areas identified as COVID clusters and neighborhoods where increased testing is needed. Vehicles are converted ambulances from NYC Department of Design and Construction to meet demand for testing

Nov 12, 2020

New York, NY

To fight against rising COVID-19 case counts, the NYC Test & Trace Corps today announced new purpose-built mobile testing units designed by NYC Department of Design and Construction to conduct screenings across the City. The retrofitted mobile units will allow for patients to utilize a large service window to safely share their information and provide a safe environment for our mobile teams to continue serving New Yorkers through cold, winter months. As part of this initiative, more than 10 of these next-generation mobile units will bring testing to communities identified as COVID cluster areas. The first vehicle in this new fleet was deployed Tuesday to the Bangladeshi American Community Development & Youth Service (BACDYS) in Ozone Park, Queens. BACDYS also partners with NYC Health + Hospitals to conduct outreach for NYC Care, the city’s health care access program that provides low and no cost services at H+H locations to New Yorkers who do not qualify for or cannot afford health insurance. Community members can come to BACDYS to get a COVID test while the mobile unit is there and also get help connecting with primary, preventive, and specialty care on an ongoing basis to address any health needs.
The mobile testing units will offer the test by walk-in from 10am-4pm, Monday, through Friday at designated locations in all boroughs. The fully equipped, mobile testing units will include a registrar, a nurse practitioner, and a registered nurse to administer the test. The mobile units are converted ambulances and will cost the City $4M annually.
“Testing is our line of sight in the fight against the coronavirus. These new weatherized mobile testing vans will allow us to reach even more New Yorkers during the winter. Every New Yorker we test for the coronavirus strengthens our ability to win the fight through detecting cases early and mitigating the spread of the virus,” said Test & Trace Corps Executive Director Dr. Ted Long.
“These new mobile units will allow for rapid deployment of resources as new COVID hotspots arise,” said NYC Department of Design and Construction Commissioner Lorraine Grillo. “Since March, under emergency construction rules, DDC has also built stationary testing sites, field hospitals and community health clinics and has upgraded several Department of Health laboratories to handle the greater testing load. We’re ready to take on whatever construction needs may arise to help the City get through the pandemic.”
“We’re appreciative of the partnership with the Test & Trace Corp to bring testing directly to our neighborhood. I encourage everyone in our community to come out and get tested!” said Bangladeshi American Community Development & Youth Service Chief Operating Officer Jean Regnier.
Mobile testing unit locations and hours this week:
Next-Generation Mobile Testing Unit:
Bangladeshi American Community Development and Youth Service Corp (BACDYS)
83-10 Rockaway Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11416
Existing Mobile Testing Units:
Captain Rivera Playground
720 E. 156th Street
Bronx, NY 10455
Soundview Park
Corner of Morrison & Lafayette Avenues
Bronx, NY 10473
Throggs Neck Senior Center (NYCHA)
680 Balcom Avenue
Bronx, NY 10465
Cypress Hills Playground
Euclid & Dumont Avenues
Brooklyn, NY 11208
Garibaldi Playground
Corner of 18th Avenue & 82nd Street
Brooklyn, NY 11214
Linden Park
Linden Boulevard & Vermont Street
Brooklyn, NY 11207
McDonald Playground
2099 McDonald Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11223
Forest Park Tennis Courts
Park Lane South and 87th Street
Woodhaven, NY 11421
Hoover Manton Playground
8353 Manton Street
Briarwood, NY 11435
Travers Park
76-9 34th Avenue
Jackson Heights, NY 11372
Vito Locasio Field
N. Conduit Avenue
Ozone Park, NY 11417
Conference House Park
Corner of Satterlee Street & Hylan Boulevard
Staten Island, NY 10307
Walker Park
Davis Avenue (between Delafield Place & Livingston Court)
Staten Island, NY 10310
The Test & Trace Corps is the City’s comprehensive effort to test, trace, and provide support for every case of COVID-19. Through a partnership with NYC Health + Hospitals and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the 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 they may have infected.
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.