More COVID-19 testing sites are opening today across the city in vulnerable neighborhoods.
Two of the three sites are at the Belvis Health Center, in Mott Haven, and the Cumberland Health Center, in Fort Greene.
Mayor Bill de Blasio has called this the start of the “test and trace” strategy. He says every case tested and traced is the way to defeat the coronavirus.
The mayor says there really needs to be a focus on those who live in NYCHA complexes saying a lot of seniors live there as well as people with preexisting health conditions. An additional three new sites will open next week at NYCHA locations.
undefined
Mayor de Blasio added that the city will work with anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 to connect them immediately to care and help them isolate either at home or at a hotel or hospital and then work quickly to ensure anyone they came in contact with is assessed and quarantined as necessary.
News 12 is told the city is looking to hire additional contact tracers who will be added to the already existing pool of 200 disease detectives and contact tracers.
Officials say these sites will operate outside of the traditional clinic and hospital settings to try and minimize the burden.