- 05/18/2020

Back on March 13th, which feels like a lifetime ago, New York set a goal that was ambitious at the time: conduct 6,000 tests per day. Today, we have met a far more ambitious goal and are able to conduct 40,000 tests a day. We have ramped up our testing capacity to the point where the supply exceeds the demand.
 
New York's diagnostic testing criteria have been expanded further. If you are eligible, I encourage you to get tested. Testing is available to:

Any individual who has COVID-19 symptoms
Any individual who has had contact with a person known to be positive with COVID-19
Any individual who is subject to a precautionary or mandatory quarantine
Any individual who is employed as a health care worker, nursing home worker or first responder
Any essential worker who directly interacts with the public while working
Any individual who would return to the workplace in Phase 1 of the state's reopening plan

I took the test myself today. It's easy and takes only a few seconds.

Here's what else you need to know tonight:
 
1. There are over 700 locations where New Yorkers can get diagnostic testing. New Yorkers can visit a new website — coronavirus.health.ny.gov/find-test-site-near-you — and enter their address to view a list and a map view of the nearest testing sites. The state has also partnered with Google Maps to display testing site results. New Yorkers can search "COVID testing near me" on Google Maps to easily find the nearest testing sites. Please remember you must always schedule an appointment to get a COVID-19 diagnostic test by calling 1-888-364-3065 or your healthcare provider. 
 
2. New York State is partnering with CVS to bring testing to more than 60 CVS pharmacies across the state. Each site will be able to conduct 50 or more tests per day.
 
3. The number of total COVID hospitalizations continues to drop. Total hospitalizations fell to 5,897, from 6,220 the day before. The number of new COVID hospitalizations also dropped to 374, from 400 the day before. Tragically, we lost 139 New Yorkers to the virus yesterday. 
 
4. A reminder that there are mental health resources available to those who need it. The past few months have been hard for everyone. If you need emotional support, call the New York State Emotional Support Hotline at 1-844-863-9314 to schedule a free appointment with a mental health professional. New Yorkers can access additional mental health resources at headspace.com/ny.
 
Tonight's "Deep Breath Moment": Yesterday, World War II planes flew over hospitals in Western and Central New York to honor healthcare workers and all essential personnel who have kept us all safe throughout the pandemic. See it here.
 
 
Ever Upward,
 
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo