BUFFALO, N.Y. — With COVID cases surging, Governor Kathy Hochul says a key way to stop the spread is to get more people tested. New York State will open up new testing sites this week, including one in Western New York.
The new site opens Tuesday, January 4 at noon. It will be located at the Northwest Buffalo Community Center located at 155 Lawn Avenue in Buffalo. Its regular hours will be Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The testing site is by appointment only. At last check on Tuesday morning, all appointments are booked until Thursday, January 6. To sign up for a slot, visit www.gogesttested.com.
The state is also planning to open additional testing sites at college campuses, including one at Buffalo State College and University at Buffalo. Timing and exact locations for those sites have not yet been announced.
The new testing sites were announced by the governor as part of New York's "Winter Surge Plan 2.0." The plan aims to focus on five key points, which includes keeping students in school, doubling down on masks and testing, preventing severe illness and death, increasing access to vaccines and boosters, and working together with local leaders.
"We can get through this surge through targeted actions, partnerships with local leaders, and by taking common sense steps to keep us all safe: get vaccinated, get boosted, and wear a mask indoors," Hochul said.