Town, Northwell launch expansion of Covid-19 testing program

With coronavirus hot spots reported in some areas of Long Island, Hempstead Town and Northwell Health officials announced a $315,000 grant for the health system to provide PCR diagnostic testing for Covid-19, as well as educational materials, at three locations in the township through the end of October.

“The Town of Hempstead has come a long way in reducing our region’s Covid-19 infection rate, but testing and education are essential to maintaining this positive trend and to keep residents safe," Town Supervisor Donald Clavin said. “America’s largest township is proud to provide this grant to Northwell Health as we continue our collaborative effort to reduce the spread of Covid-19. Our township also thanks Sen. Charles Schumer for securing the CARES funds to help fund programs like this one.”

PCR diagnostic testing for Covid-19 will be available on:

— Oct. 12 to 16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Baldwin Park (3232 Grand Ave., Baldwin)

— Oct. 19-23 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park (1700 Prospect Ave., East Meadow)

— Oct. 26-30 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Echo Park (399 Nassau Blvd., West Hempstead)

To make an appointment, call Northwell’s Town of Hempstead testing hotline at (516) 821-2500.

“We are proud to partner with the Town of Hempstead in expanding our efforts in providing diagnostic Covid-19 testing at three additional town parks sites,” said Dr. Debbie Salas-Lopez, senior vice president of community and population health at Northwell. “Education and testing are the key to fostering healthy communities and limiting the spread of Covid-19.”

The $315,000 grant waas funded through $133 million in federal CARES funding awarded to the town based on its population of more than 770,000 people. To date, Hempstead has committed more than $30 million in CARES funding to food banks, medical facilities, education centers and other community organizations to aid people affected by the pandemic. In July, the town approved a $2 million CARES funds grant to Northwell to provide Covid-19 antibody testing and education.

Each person who is tested will receive a packet of coronavirus educational materials, including information about the virus, how to identify symptoms and how to protect yourself and others. The materials also include more information about PCR diagnostic testing and interpretation of positive/negative results. Visit https://hempsteadny.gov/files/pdfs/covid-flier-10.pdf for more information.

Provided by the Town of Hempstead; compiled by Alyssa Seidman.