2 Coronavirus Collection Sites Open In Mid-Hudson Valley

FISKKILL, NY — Two new coronavirus drive-through collection sites opened Monday in Dutchess and Ulster counties in cooperation with Nuvance Health. The sites are the Intermodal Center at Dutchess Stadium on Route 9D in Fishkill and Tech City at 300 Enterprise Drive in Kingston.

The Fishkill site was scheduled to open at noon, and the Kingston site, at 8:30 a.m., officials said.

These sites, which are by appointment only, will be used to collect samples from people who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. A person must have a physician's order before entering these locations.

Follow all the coronavirus updates in New York. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

The samples will be sent offsite for testing.

Sandra Iberger, vice president of ambulatory services at Nuvance Health, said the sites were established to provide a safe alternate location for symptomatic patients to be screened for the new coronavirus.

"Currently, patients have been seeking testing via the emergency department and physician offices, which are not the appropriate setting for testing," she said.

Healthcare providers from Nuvance Health and law enforcement will work at the two sites. Three additional providers from Ellenville Hospital will assist at the Tech City site.

At both locations, a trained provider will use a swab to collect a nasal sample. That sample will then be sent to a lab for testing. This is not a blood test. It may take up to six days to get the test results back. Your doctor will notify you of the results. Only call your doctor if you have not heard back in seven days.

Hours of operation at both sites are Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and are subject to change.

Both collection sites will be available for pre-screened people suspected of having COVID-19 to give a specimen sample for a test. Results will not be immediately available.

The collection site is only for those who meet all of the following criteria:

• You called your doctor’s office and had a consultation.
• Based on your symptoms and other information you provided, your doctor determined you meet criteria for COVID-19 testing and ordered a test for you.
• You have a scheduled appointment at the collection site. Your doctor will give you the phone number to call to schedule an appointment at the collection site.

For more information including the criteria and the process for scheduling an appointment at the drive-through sites, visit Nuvancehealth.org/NYCollectionSites.

Find and “Like” Hudson Valley Patches' Facebook Pages.