New York is pushing more testing for COVID-19 in an effort to curb the current spread of the coronavirus.

Health officials have been urging testing as the new variants of the coronavirus can spread to already vaccinated people and be passed along to the highly vulnerable unvaccinated population.  Home testing kits have been hard to come by in parts of the country and long lines are seen daily on news programs as people try to determine if they can travel, go to work or return to school.

Bob Joseph
Bob Joseph
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January 3, Governor Kathy Hochul announced 10 new testing sites will be opening this week on the State University of New York campuses and at Syracuse University.  Binghamton University, SUNY Cortland and SUNY Oneonta are among those named.

Hochul has also been pushing for test-to-stay in New York’s schools.  The Democrat says the state has secured thousands of at-home tests that are being provided to school districts to send home with students.  Hochul say if a child tests positive, their classmates can test at home for the coronavirus.  If they test negative, those students, in spite of possible exposure, could be allowed to return to class and avoid the school closings and disruptions in learning that were experienced in the early days of the pandemic.

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Each site will maintain capacity for approximately 225 appointments per day and up to 50 walk-ins.

As for the SUNY testing sites, the Governor's office on January 4 listed operating times and locations:

Binghamton University Community Testing Site 

Binghamton University Foundation

10 Gannett Dr.

Johnson City, NY 13790

Beginning Jan. 7, Hours of Operation: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Appointments can be scheduled online.

SUNY Cortland Community Testing Site 

1096 Lankler Dr.

Cortland, NY 13045

Beginning Jan. 7, Hours of Operation: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

SUNY Oneonta Community Testing Site 

Emergency Services Building, Training Room 26

S. West Dorm Dr.

Oneonta, NY 13820

Beginning Jan. 7, Hours of Operation: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar last week said taking advantage of testing sites at the County Health Department and the State mass vaccination site at Davis College can help take some pressure off staff at the local hospitals who have also been doing COVID testing.

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