While city-run sites are without cost, some private testers charge a fee. Poor weather may also force some locations to close. City officials encourage people to call a testing site before going.
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How can I tell if a private testing site is reputable?
The New York State Health Department is in charge of regulating all private testing sites, including sites in New York City.
But certain testing sites have recently come under increased scrutiny. The New York attorney general Letitia James on Monday issued a warning to LabQ Diagnostics, a Brooklyn-based laboratory with testing sites across the city, over false advertising. The company’s website advertises test results within 48 hours, but some people have reported waiting more than 96 hours.
How long will I have to wait?
Many New Yorkers have seen lines at testing sites snake around blocks, and the wait can sometimes exceed two hours.
The Coronavirus Pandemic: Key Things to Know
Card 1 of 4The Omicron variant. The highly transmissible Covid strain is surging around the world. Research suggests many non-mRNA Covid vaccines offer almost no defense against becoming infected, though the Pfizer and Moderna boosters, which are mRNA-based, likely provide additional protection against serious illness.
The holiday season. With planned end of the year gatherings, the new Covid surge is prompting worries and cancellations. The Times asked experts to share some holiday guidance, as well as some tips on using at-home Covid tests (if you can find any). Here is what to do if you test positive for Covid.
Biden’s new plan. President Biden is expected to announce new steps on Dec. 21 to confront the surge in Covid cases, including setting up new federal testing sites, deploying hundreds of federal vaccinators and buying 500 million rapid tests to distribute free to the public.
Around the world. In Europe, the Netherlands, Britain and Denmark adopted tough restrictions, while France, Spain and Italy are betting on a more measured approach. New Zealand pushed back a phased opening of its borders, and Thailand said it was pausing a quarantine-free travel program.
The wait time at the N.Y.C. Health + Hospitals locations can be tracked using this dashboard. For example, the site lists test locations with no reported wait time as well as sites that have wait times of more than two hours. Workers aim to update the expected wait times every two hours.
How do I find an at-home test?
New Yorkers with certain underlying health conditions or who are over 65 can schedule an in-home appointment by calling 929-298-9400, seven days a week, between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.
At-home tests can also be ordered online, through one of five different vendors: Hims & Hers, Pixel by LabCorp, QuestDirect by QuestDiagnostics, Vault Health or Zeel. The cost of the tests largely depends on what insurance carriers cover. In some cases, a screening to check if you were recently exposed to the virus must be completed before an order can be placed.