Governor Cuomo Reminds New Yorkers of Free COVID-19 Testing Availability in Oneonta and Western New York

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today reminded New Yorkers of the availability of free COVID-19 testing in Oneonta and Western New York. Three new temporary rapid testing sites will open in the City of Oneonta, Otsego County, tomorrow at 11 a.m. After tomorrow, the sites will be open Thursday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. These sites are being opened as part of the Governor's deployment of a SWAT team to SUNY Oneonta to contain a COVID-19 cluster that has developed there amongst the student population. The state action comes as SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras announced a two-week suspension of in-person instruction at the SUNY Oneonta campus to help address the cluster. The testing sites will be operated in partnership with Bassett Healthcare open to all members of the community and will deliver testing results within 15 minutes, allowing contact tracing efforts to quickly track and control any new exposures. All tests are free of charge.

"New York State is taking immediate action to address developing clusters in Oneonta and Western New York, and I urge anyone in those areas who is concerned about possible COVID-19 exposure to make an appointment at one of our new test sites," Governor Cuomo said. "This is how the system is supposed to work—our team monitors the state's COVID-19 data, investigates spikes in cases, and provides additional testing and contact tracing. We'll stay vigilant as the virus continues to be a national and global crisis."

SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras said, "Quickly deploying resources to communities with surges of COVID-19 is crucial to containing the virus and protecting the communities that surround our colleges. SUNY understands the responsibility we have to those communities - and will continue to collaborate with partners at both the local and state levels to protect New Yorkers from this virus. I want to thank Governor Cuomo for his quick action and unflinching commitment to fighting COVID-19."

The three new sites are located:

Oneonta Armory

4 Academy St

Oneonta, NY 13820

Foothills Performing Arts and Civic Center

24 Market St

Oneonta, NY 13820

St. James Church

305 Main St

Oneonta, NY 13820

Testing is by appointment only. New Yorkers can call 833-NYSTRNG to make an appointment.

Bassett Healthcare Network President and CEO Dr. Tommy Ibrahim said, "We commend Governor Cuomo and Commissioner Zucker for their quick response to slow the spread of this virus in our communities. Testing and contact tracing is critical to effectively managing this pandemic, and as a healthcare organization rooted in this community we're pleased to partner with a leadership team so deeply committed to protecting the public."

Governor Cuomo also reminded Western New York residents that ongoing rapid testing is being conducted at eight sites in the region. Residents can call 833-NYSTRNG to make an appointment. On August 27, the governor deployed a testing SWAT team to Western New York to address the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases in the region. He also announced the eight sites, which can be found here:

Deleavan-Grider Community Center

877 E. Delavan Ave.

Buffalo, NY 14215

True Bethel Baptist Church

907 E. Ferry St.

Buffalo, NY 14211

Northwest Buffalo Community Center

155 Lawn Ave.

Buffalo, NY 14207

Dunkirk Fire Murphy Training Grounds

665 Brigham Road

Dunkirk, NY 14048

SUNY ECC North

6205 Main St.

Williamsville, NY 14221

Union Fire Company

1845 Union Road

West Seneca, NY 14224

John A. Duke Senior Center

1201 Hyde Park Blvd.

Niagara Falls, NY 14301

YWCA of the Niagara Frontier

32 Cottage St.

Lockport, NY 14094