County Says Free Covid Tests Available at Pharmacies

Suffolk County announced Friday that there are nearly 100 sites in the county where residents can obtain COVID-19 diagnostic testing, antibody testing, and rapid testing.

In Huntington, County Executive Steve Bellone’s office listed free testing available at:

  • CVS Pharmacy, 520 Larkfield Road, East Northport
  • CVS Pharmacy, 2000 Jericho Turnpike, East Northport
  • CVS Pharmacy, 111 Depot Road, Huntington Station

The announcement follows on a statement by the Centers for Disease Control, which suddenly reversed course and said that individuals do not necessarily need to get tested for COVID-19 after coming in contact with someone who has tested positive. Gov. Andrew Cuomo, other governors and many medical experts immediately challenged that shift.

“From day one, we have prioritized access to testing, especially in our hard hit communities, and as we continue on our path to recovery, Suffolk County now has more testing sites than ever before,” Bellone said. “In light of the puzzling CDC guidance released this week, I am proud to stand with Gov. Cuomo and others in the medical community to encourage our residents to continue to get tested. If we want to avoid a second wave and keep our infection rate below one percent, testing must be a top priority.”

A Johns Hopkins University tabulation says 2,001 people died in Suffolk County from the disease. And New York State reported seven Covid-19 deaths Friday.

“A robust testing program allows us to identify as many positive cases as possible, isolate those individuals and quarantine their close contacts, therefore slowing and containing the spread of COVID-19,” said Commissioner of Health Services Dr. Gregson Pigott. “In order to protect public health and help prevent a second wave in the fall, we will continue to recommend everyone who is exposed to the virus gets tested.”

Information on testing sites is available at the New York State Department of Health’s Website here. Residents with questions can call Suffolk 311.

HuntingtonNow.com reported first on a surprise charge involving follow-up “telehealth” calls on testing conducted in Huntington Station that was supposed to be free. The organization that sent bills to Huntington Station residents that ranged up to nearly $800 later said people had been charged in error, and Newsday said more than 1,600 people were billed.

 

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