County Executive Ryan holds his fifth virtual town hall to update residents on the County’s response to COVID-19
County Executive Ryan shares information about the opening of first COVID-19 testing site at Tech City and the second location planned to open in Ellenville on March 31st
KINGSTON, N.Y. – County Executive Pat Ryan held his fifth Facebook Live Town Hall today to update residents on Ulster County’s response to COVID-19. County Executive Ryan received nearly 500 questions and directly answered residents’ questions ranging from the testing process to supporting workers at the frontlines of this crisis. This was his first Town Hall that was also simultaneously broadcasted in Spanish.
“Our new mobile testing site will save lives. I am very proud of all of our partners who have stepped up and made our first day of mobile testing a huge success,” County Executive Pat Ryan said. “My team will not rest, we are going to continue to gather resources, share information, and do everything in our power to guarantee the health and safety of the residents of Ulster County.”
Additionally, County Executive Pat Ryan shared additional information about Ulster County’s first drive-through mobile COVID-19 testing site located at Tech City. County Executive Ryan plans for a second site to open in Ellenville by March 31st. The site, operated in partnership with Nuvance Health, will add significant testing capacity and streamline the process for residents to be safely tested. County Executive Ryan said that the new site will allow for up to 200 tests per day. In addition, the mobile site will reduce possible exposure to COVID-19 at hospitals and medical practices, which are preparing to handle an increasing number of patients affected by COVID-19.
Individuals seeking a COVID-19 test at the testing site must meet all of the following criteria:
- You called your primary care physician’s office and had a phone consultation
- Based on your symptoms and other information you provided, your physician determined that you meet criteria for COVID-19 testing, and ordered a test for you
- You have a scheduled appointment at the collection site. Scheduling information will be provided by your physician. Any individual who does not have a primary care physician, should contact the Ulster County COVID-19 Hotline at 845-443-8888.
Residents permitted by their physician to enter the site will be met by a trained provider who will collect a sample for lab testing. After leaving the test site, residents should drive home and limit interactions with others during this time. Those who are tested should plan to self-quarantine for up to 14 days and will receive self-quarantine guidelines at the collection site. It may take up to six days to receive test results back and individuals who receive tests will be notified by their doctor with the results. Both healthcare providers and law enforcement will be on site along with three clinicians from Ellenville Hospital.
Tech City is located at 300 Enterprise Drive, Kingston, NY 12401. The testing site is currently slated to be open Monday through Saturday, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM by appointment only. Traffic message boards have been placed along entry routes (both Enterprise Drive and Boices Lane) to direct individuals.
There are currently 38 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ulster County.
To watch the Facebook Live Town Hall, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/UlsterCountyExecutive/videos/2793370960700136/
For additional information about COVID-19 and the mobile testing process, please visit: https://ulstercountyny.gov/coronavirus
Ulster County COVID-19 Hotline: 845-443-8888
NYS Coronavirus Information Hotline: 888-364-3065
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