Rapid COVID Tests NOW Available on Request in Erie County

Erie County has announced that it has updated its policy on rapid COVID tests for its residents.

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Erie County is changing the way it distributes COVID-19 Rapid Tests.  Previously, rapid COVID-19 testing was only available from the Erie County Department of Health for county residents with COVID-19 symptoms or those with known COVID-19 exposure. As of today, the ECDOH has updated its procedures to make rapid (ID Now) COVID-19 testing available to any resident on request.

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

 Anyone who calls or walks in for COVID-19 testing may choose between our two test options. The COVID-19 PCR test is the most sensitive and most specific, and we provide the results within 1-3 business days. Or, the rapid COVID-19 test offers results in 15 minutes.

This is good news for travelers.  If you plan on taking a trip to or from Erie County, you will now be able to take advantage of this new county policy, if you need to provide a negative test for the purposes of travel.

The new policy is advantageous for those visiting nursing homes, and long-term health facilities, as they can now get a rapid test, regardless if they have COVID symptoms.

The COVID numbers have continued to decline here in Erie County.

However, our numbers here in Western New York are still high when compared to the rest of New York State.  The percentage of positive cases among those tested remains one of the highest in the state.