BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) announced Tuesday all county residents are now eligible for COVID-19 testing at county-run sites.
Previously COVID-19 testing at county-run sites was only open to those with symptoms and those considered a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
Appointments are still required and can be made by calling (716) 858-2929.
ECDOH recommends getting tested if you meet the following criteria:
- Individuals of any age with COVID-19 symptoms (fever, shortness of breath, cough, fatigue, new loss of taste or smell, muscle or body aches, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea) – this includes people who received one or both doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
- Close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases, 5-7 days after last known exposure - this includes people who received one or both doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
ECDOH says the following may also get tested at a county-run site:
- Individuals who require a test for travel – departing from or returning to Erie County
- Individuals whose employer requires a negative test to return to work or school following a positive test and completion of isolation period
- Individuals seeking a test to qualify for a visit to a nursing home or other care facility
- Individuals whose physician requires a negative test prior to surgery
- Individuals at high-risk of exposure based on the nature of their job
“The addition of new state-of-the-art equipment in our Public Health Lab has increased our daily capacity to perform PCR (molecular) diagnostic testing,” said Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein. “Between our Public Health Lab and point-of-care (rapid) tests on-site, we want to make sure that we are providing diagnostic tests to people who need them and who want to know their status.”
