Harlem School Opens For Coronavirus Testing Amid Holiday Rush

HARLEM, NY — A temporary coronavirus testing site opened at an East Harlem school this week as the city works to alleviate long lines that began in the run-up to Thanksgiving.

The Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics at 260 Pleasant Ave. (near East 116th Street and the FDR Drive) opened Monday and will stay open daily from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Friday, a spokesperson for New York City Health + Hospitals confirmed.

It is one of 25 pop-up testing sites that opened in school buildings across the city this week, as officials specifically encourage people who traveled for Thanksgiving to get tested.

There are other ways to get a free COVID-19 test in Harlem. Health + Hospitals' ongoing testing sites include Harlem Hospital (506 Lenox Ave.), Metropolitan Hospital (1901 First Ave.), Gotham Health, Sydenham (264 West 118th St.), Saint Nicholas Houses (281 West 127th St.), and Manhattanville Health Center (21 Old Broadway).

All sites are open daily. Check the Health + Hospitals website for hours and other information.

In addition, the Health Department's COVID-19 Express rapid testing sites include one in Harlem: the Central Harlem Health Center (2238 Fifth Ave.). It is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., but appointments must be booked online.

On Monday, the city unveiled a new online tool that will show wait times at city-run testing sites to help residents avoid long lines.

People are still waiting hours in line for testing at CityMD. But you have other options:

* Public hospitals and clinics
* Dept of Health express sites
* Pop-up sites at schools
* Self-test micro sites

Many have short lines. Results usually in <48 hrs. Details by borough: pic.twitter.com/N9RSratZZb
— Mark D. Levine (@MarkLevineNYC) December 1, 2020

Anna Quinn contributed reporting.