City launches ‘testing blitz,’ increases testing with 2 new rapid testing sites

Mayor Bill de Blasio says the city is starting a coronavirus "testing blitz."

News 12 Staff

Nov 17, 2020, 5:32 PM

Updated 1,416 days ago

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Mayor Bill de Blasio says the city is starting a coronavirus "testing blitz."
The mayor says there were more than 1,000 new cases Tuesday, that's due in part to an increase in testing, and he is urging more New Yorkers to get out and get tested.
“It's as simple as this -- no one wants to see a second wave hit New York City, no one wants to see more restrictions, there's something you can do about, it's up to you, you can make a difference, and that's what we're calling on you to do,” says Mayor de Blasio.
As part of the city's "testing blitz,” the city is building out two large rapid testing sites.
One opens in Queens Tuesday, and another Thursday on Staten Island.
The city says these are important for accelerated contact tracing.
The city can now do more than 300,000 COVID-19 tests a week thanks to mobile testing units, some of which are in Brooklyn at both the Marcy Houses and in Cypress Hills.