NYC Test & Trace Corps Launches Rapid COVID-19 Testing on Mobile Units
Partnership with Ambulnz/Rapid Reliable Testing introduces antigen testing on two mobile units serving communities with high need at no cost
Dec 29, 2020
New York, NY
As COVID-19 cases increase this holiday season, the NYC Test & Trace Corps today announced the launch of rapid testing on mobile units to reach more communities in need of testing at no cost. The partnership with Rapid Reliable Testing (RRT), a subsidiary of Ambulnz, is introducing rapid antigen testing in two mobile testing units, with plans to expand to additional units in the coming weeks.
“New Yorkers are hearing our call to get tested, but with the arrival of winter, our battle against COVID-19 deepens, and we need everyone to continue to get tested often,” said NYC Test & Trace Corps Executive Director Dr. Ted Long. “With the start of rapid testing at mobile units in partnership with Ambulnz/Rapid Reliable Testing, we are bringing more quick and convenient options at no cost to the communities most in need of this service.”
The Test & Trace Corps already partners with Rapid Reliable Testing, which is in the process of deploying a fleet of 40 mobile units anticipated by mid-February to provide standard PCR testing across New York City. Similar to the Test & Trace Corps’ existing mobile units, these teams are deployed across the city and provide testing at no cost to New Yorkers. No appointment is needed and language access interpretation is available. Through this new partnership, two of RRT’s mobile units have been converted to provide rapid testing, with results returned in approximately 15 minutes. RRT has performed more than 10,000 tests for the Test & Trace Corps to date, most of them standard PCR testing.
“We are delighted to partner with Test & Trace Corps to expand public access to COVID testing in our hometown of NYC” said Stan Vashovsky, CEO of Ambulnz and Rapid Reliable Testing. “We look forward to deploying additional PCR and Rapid Antigen units across the five boroughs, to help get the citizens of New York tested, and hasten the end of this pandemic.”
Rapid, or “point-of-care”, can either be molecular, also known as PCR, or antigen. RRT’s mobile units offer antigen tests using a more comfortable nasal “short swab” for specimen collection, and the positive test 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.
Mobile rapid testing will enhance the current citywide testing capacity of 120,000 tests per day, offered at more than 300 sites across the city. Each mobile testing unit can perform up to 300 tests per day.
As with the Corps’ existing mobile fleet, these rapid mobile units will be deployed on a week-to-week basis to communities where the need is greatest. The two new rapid antigen testing units are deployed at the following locations this week:
NYCHA Castle Hill
2144 Seward Avenue
Bronx, NY 10473
Monday – Thursday; Saturday – Sunday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Dates: December 28 – 31, January 2 – 3
For ages 4 and up
NYCHA West Brighton I & II
Parking lot entrance at 820 Henderson Ave
Staten Island, NY 10310
Monday – Thursday, Saturday – Sunday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Dates: December 28 – 31, January 2 – 3
For ages 4 and up
In addition to RRT mobile units, the Test & Trace Corps mobile fleet also includes six all-weather units consisting of purpose-built, converted ambulances. The full schedule of mobile testing for this week can be found at nyc.gov/covidtest, where you can also find other testing sites near you at no cost. Or call the NYC Test & Trace Corps hotline at 212-COVID19. Check testing wait times at City sites before you go by visiting testandtrace.nyc.
“New Yorkers are hearing our call to get tested, but with the arrival of winter, our battle against COVID-19 deepens, and we need everyone to continue to get tested often,” said NYC Test & Trace Corps Executive Director Dr. Ted Long. “With the start of rapid testing at mobile units in partnership with Ambulnz/Rapid Reliable Testing, we are bringing more quick and convenient options at no cost to the communities most in need of this service.”
The Test & Trace Corps already partners with Rapid Reliable Testing, which is in the process of deploying a fleet of 40 mobile units anticipated by mid-February to provide standard PCR testing across New York City. Similar to the Test & Trace Corps’ existing mobile units, these teams are deployed across the city and provide testing at no cost to New Yorkers. No appointment is needed and language access interpretation is available. Through this new partnership, two of RRT’s mobile units have been converted to provide rapid testing, with results returned in approximately 15 minutes. RRT has performed more than 10,000 tests for the Test & Trace Corps to date, most of them standard PCR testing.
“We are delighted to partner with Test & Trace Corps to expand public access to COVID testing in our hometown of NYC” said Stan Vashovsky, CEO of Ambulnz and Rapid Reliable Testing. “We look forward to deploying additional PCR and Rapid Antigen units across the five boroughs, to help get the citizens of New York tested, and hasten the end of this pandemic.”
Rapid, or “point-of-care”, can either be molecular, also known as PCR, or antigen. RRT’s mobile units offer antigen tests using a more comfortable nasal “short swab” for specimen collection, and the positive test 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.
Mobile rapid testing will enhance the current citywide testing capacity of 120,000 tests per day, offered at more than 300 sites across the city. Each mobile testing unit can perform up to 300 tests per day.
As with the Corps’ existing mobile fleet, these rapid mobile units will be deployed on a week-to-week basis to communities where the need is greatest. The two new rapid antigen testing units are deployed at the following locations this week:
NYCHA Castle Hill
2144 Seward Avenue
Bronx, NY 10473
Monday – Thursday; Saturday – Sunday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Dates: December 28 – 31, January 2 – 3
For ages 4 and up
NYCHA West Brighton I & II
Parking lot entrance at 820 Henderson Ave
Staten Island, NY 10310
Monday – Thursday, Saturday – Sunday, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Dates: December 28 – 31, January 2 – 3
For ages 4 and up
In addition to RRT mobile units, the Test & Trace Corps mobile fleet also includes six all-weather units consisting of purpose-built, converted ambulances. The full schedule of mobile testing for this week can be found at nyc.gov/covidtest, where you can also find other testing sites near you at no cost. Or call the NYC Test & Trace Corps hotline at 212-COVID19. Check testing wait times at City sites before you go by visiting testandtrace.nyc.