Hempstead Town Expanding Coronavirus Testing Programs

HEMPSTEAD TOWN, NY — As coronavirus infections continue to increase around Long Island, the Town of Hemsptead announced today that it was implementing three new initiatives try to lower the infection rate in the township.

The new measures, which include free rapid and PCR testing for all Hempstead Town residents through Dec. 30, were unanimously approved by the Town Board. The testing program is funded out of the $133 million the town received in federal CARES Act funding.

The town approved spending up to $445,967 in grant funding to Mount Sinai South Nassau hospital to pen a drive-through rapid testing facility in Oceanside. The board also amended a previous agreement with Northwell Health to expand its current PCR testing program for essential workers and first responders. Northwell will now be providing free tests to all Hempstead Town residents.

“Unfortunately, the coronavirus infection rates are rising across Long Island, and no community is immune from the spread of the virus,” said Town Supervisor Don Clavin. “Utilizing federal CARES money, which was secured thanks to Senator Charles Schumer, we want to take on the second wave of COVID-19 by providing expanded free testing options for all residents. I’m proud to join with my Town Board colleagues to provide residents with free rapid and PCR diagnostic testing to help curb the spread of COVID-19.”

Under the agreement with Mount Sinai South Nassau, Town of Hempstead residents will have a dedicated phone line to make appointments for a drive-through rapid testing unit in Oceanside. The testing will be conducted at a mobile drive-through unit at Mount Sinai South Nassau (1 Healthy Way, Oceanside) six days a week, 12 hours a day from Nov. 29 through Dec. 30. More information on this program will be announced in the coming days. To schedule a test, call 516-390-2888.

The testing program with Northwell Health expands an existing collaborative effort to provide COVID-19 testing to first responders and essential workers. Utilizing funds from a $1.5 million grant that was approved by the Hempstead Town Board in October, free COVID-19 testing will be available for all town residents at various times and locations by appointment, by calling 516-821-2500, through the end of the year.

Through the town’s COVID-19 testing and education program with Northwell Health, more than 10,000 tests have been administered to Town of Hempstead residents. This effort included a six-week antibody testing program, a three-week PCR diagnostic testing program in September for town residents, and an ongoing COVID-19 PCR diagnostic testing service for first responders and essential workers that started in October.

In addition, the Town Board also announced an agreement with Baseline Health Management, LLC., to conduct mobile rapid COVID-19 testing for Town of Hempstead employees.

For more information on these testing programs, and the Town of Hempstead’s other COVID-19 initiatives and resources, click here.