Tests To Be Distributed to Nursing Homes, Adult Care Facilities, Schools, NYCHA Residences, Senior Centers, Food Banks, and Elected Officials for Local Communities
More Than 54 Million Tests Already Distributed Throughout the State in Recent Months, More than 90 Million Procured To Date
State Will Establish Precautionary Stockpile of At Least 20 Million Tests
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that more than 20 million COVID-19 over-the-counter tests will be distributed across the state through the Spring to bolster New York State's ongoing preparedness efforts.
“As we've seen throughout the pandemic, test kits are a critical tool in the fight to stop the spread of COVID-19 and prevent exposure to others,” Governor Hochul said. “While our numbers remain low, now is the time to ramp up the distribution of tests and build up our stockpile so we can bolster our preparedness for the future to protect our communities, and safely move forward through this pandemic."
The State will continue to provide over-the-counter test kits to nursing homes, adult care facilities, and schools, and will partner with elected officials for continued distribution to the public, during the next few months to identify new COVID-19 cases and keep New Yorkers safe.
This includes one million tests to schools outside of New York City every other week until the end of the school year. New York City no longer receives State distributions because they have sufficient test kits to get them through the year. At home tests have proven to be an invaluable tool for identifying cases and protecting our communities; they were responsible for finding at least 15,000 positive cases among students and staff the week after the winter break alone.
In addition to these continued distributions, the State is increasing distribution points for test kits. The State will partner with Mayors, County Executives, Members of Congress, Borough Presidents and State Legislators across New York to increase access to tests for the general public. And the State will coordinate distribution of 1.74 million tests to the NYC Housing Authority tenants, enough for each household to receive four tests. An additional 500,000 tests will be made available to various food banks and senior centers throughout the state, based on request.
Ahead of the Omicron surge in late 2021, Governor Hochul and her team identified the need to secure over-the-counter test kits to combat the Omicron surge, providing regular distributions to the general public, prioritizing schools and adult care facilities across the state.
More than 54 million tests have already been distributed throughout New York since the beginning of the year, including nearly 30 million tests to schools, 12.5 million tests to nursing homes and adult-care facilities, and more than 10 million tests to local officials for public distribution in their respective communities. The distribution efforts follow the procurement of more than 90 million rapid tests in recent months.
Of the more than 90 million tests procured, approximately 20 million tests have been stored to help prepare for any potential surges later this year
State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Commissioner Jackie Bray said, “This winter Governor Hochul got test kits into New Yorkers hands to combat the Omicron surge. These kits helped keep all of us safe by identifying cases early so that New Yorkers could take action to stop the spread. Our team at DHSES will continue to distribute millions of additional test kits to New Yorkers this spring to help us identify future infections and interrupt transmission early and will maintain the State’s stockpile of this essential tool in case of a future surge.”
State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said, “Testing has been a critical tool to curb the spread of COVID-19, and the State continues the important work of getting test kits to New Yorkers. The distribution of rapid tests has been a hallmark of Governor Hochul’s winter surge plan, and testing continues to help our classrooms, workplaces, and communities at increased risk stay healthy and safe. If New Yorkers have had COVID-19 exposure, experience symptoms, or have recently traveled, they should take advantage of these free at-home tests being distributed statewide thanks to the hard work of our partners at the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.”
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, "Testing kits are essential tools in our fight against COVID-19, and I thank Gov. Hochul for providing this vital resource to help protect our communities. As we continue to take steps to resume life under a new normal and get New York moving forward, I encourage people to utilize these available resources, including getting vaccinated and boosted."
New York City Mayor Eric Adams said, “By shipping tests to some of our highest-risk populations, Governor Hochul is helping to ensure the most vulnerable New Yorkers have continued access to the tools to stay healthy. These additional tests will supplement the hundreds of thousands of test kits the city has distributed, keeping New York City safe and helping us fully re-open. Partnering with all levels of government is a critical part of our pandemic readiness and I’m grateful to the governor for her continued partnership.”
NYS Association of Counties Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario said, “Expanding access to over-the-counter test kits is a key part of our strategy to return to normalcy during the COVID-19 era. While getting vaccinated is still the best way to protect against COVID-19, testing is another important tool to prevent the spread of infection so we can safely return to work, school, and social activities. We commend Governor Hochul for continuing to lead New York State through this new phase of the pandemic and providing our residents with the tools they need to keep themselves and their communities safe.”
New York State Conference of Mayors Executive Director Peter A. Baynes said, "NYCOM greatly appreciates Governor Hochul leading this proactive partnership with local government leaders throughout New York. Public health measures, such as this expansion of test kit deployment, work best when they are done in a coordinated fashion with municipalities, as they are the government closest to the people. Mayors will continue to work hand-in-hand with the Governor in all ways that will protect the health of New Yorkers."
New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams said, “Despite New York’s tremendous progress to lower the COVID-19 case rate and boost vaccinations, we are still in the midst of a global pandemic and should continue to take precautions to ensure our communities are healthy. Among the resources we must continue to invest in is testing, which allows New Yorkers to be protected by identifying positive cases. I thank Governor Hochul for her leadership in focusing on the distribution of testing kits across New York.”
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, “Two years into this pandemic, we know how critical testing is to stop the spread and protecting ourselves, our friends and family and our loved ones. While cases here in New York are low, these test kits will help ensure our communities – and our most vulnerable populations – are prepared for the future.”
Assemblymember Steven Cymbrowitz said, “Making an increased number of at-home testing kits available at NYCHA developments will mean that busy working families and seniors will continue to have easy access to these tests and will be able to keep themselves and their community safe with no outlay of time or effort. I commend Gov. Hochul for prioritizing the distribution of these test kits as an essential part of our State’s COVID recovery.”