Many Coronavirus Test Wait Times 'Not Reported' On New Tool

NEW YORK CITY — A new online tool designed to help New Yorkers avoid lines for coronavirus tests is turning into a waiting game itself.

The city's COVID-19 Testing Wait Times site early Tuesday afternoon still had 28 Health + Hospitals testing sites labeled with a three-word non-estimate for how long people would have to wait: "Not reported yet."

That's more than half the city-run sites on the tracker, which was officially announced Monday by Mayor Bill de Blasio.

"You can really plan carefully where you want to go get tested," he said about the tool.

Long lines for COVID-19 tests have frustrated many New Yorkers who queued up amid a coronavirus resurgence and the incoming holiday season.

Urgent cares in particular appeared to have the longest lines, while people going to the city's Health + Hospitals sites largely avoided standing for hours.

De Blasio and health officials, anticipating a post-Thanksgiving testing rush, unveiled the wait time tool and promised to provide Twitter updates three times a day on wait times @NYCHealthSystem.

But a day later it appears the tracker still awaited updates from many sites deep into the afternoon. The Twitter account also just provided a link to the tool.

Patch reached out to Health + Hospitals for more information on updates, but has not yet received a response.