BUFFALO, N.Y. — On Monday, Catholic Health announced they've received 960 COVID-19 rapid tests last week, resulting in more people tested in Western New York, with a faster turnaround time.
It had ordered 48,000 of the rapid testing kits nearly two weeks ago, but the manufacturer was ordered to send them instead to the State of New York for use in "hot-spot" areas downstate.
Because of the 960 rapid tests Catholic Health received last week, 66 confirmed cases of coronavirus were found at Father Baker Manor in Orchard Park.
Though 66 people at Father Baker Manor, 41 residents and 25 associates, tested positive, most said they felt fine, according to Catholic Health. In addition, 284 people at the facility tested negative for COVID-19.
Catholic Health has created an isolation unit for all the people who have tested positive. Within that unit, only 12 are displaying symptoms of the virus. They also announced a COVID-19 only facility will open in a few weeks.
Catholic Health also updated reporters on the progress of its second COVID-19 only treatment center being built in a former AbsoluteCare nursing home in Orchard Park which should be ready to open in three weeks.
Officials from the healthcare providers also said they didn't have any ventilators taken away from their facilities due to Governor Cuomo's recent executive order. Catholic Health said they expect to be using all ventilators within the next few days to respond to COVID-19.