Erie County Expands Testing and Hours as COVID is Surging

As the COIVD numbers remain high across New York state with over 45,000 positive tests and a 7-day positivity rate of over 20%, Erie County is taking its own steps to make sure its residents are as safe as possible.

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Earlier today the Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) announced that it was expanding its COVID-19 testing capacity.  There will now be weekend appointments, extended evening hours, and additional test sites opening in the City of Buffalo. The county will also be expanding its COVID-19 Information Line hours during the week, as it will now be open until 7 pm.

Erie County Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein said via a press release;

Demand for COVID-19 testing is extremely high and driven by the number of new cases and close contacts, and by people who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.  Our department is responding to this need by expanding our testing operations in the new year, and also with the recent distribution of nearly 80,000 at-home COVID-19 antigen tests to the general public

Keep in mind that appointments are still required for any Erie County Department of Health COVID tests.  Appointments can be made by calling (716) 858-2929.  County residents who are showing symptoms will now be eligible for the rapid ID Now COVID test, which typically delivers its results within 15 minutes.  If you are not showing any symptoms, you can get a PCR test from Erie county, with results expected within 1-3 business days.

The New York State Department of Health has opened several additional COVID-19 test sites center at the University at Buffalo and Buffalo State College, as well as at SUNY Fredonia.