Elmont COVID-19 Testing Facility Begins Operations
ELMONT, NY – Assemblywoman Solages joined Nassau County Executive Laura Curran today to announce the opening of a County COVID-19 testing center at the Long Island Federally Qualified Health Center – Elmont Family Health Center located at 161 Hempstead Turnpike, Elmont, NY 11003. The announcement comes after recent reports showed that Elmont was one of the hardest communities hit by the coronavirus pandemic. All tests are by appointment only (516-396-7500) in outdoor facilities, which operate Monday – Friday from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
“It is encouraging to see Nassau County prioritizing the communities that have shown a higher rate of infection and mortality from the COVID-19 pandemic. Establishing an accessible diagnostic testing network is an integral part of managing the spread of the coronavirus, Assemblywoman Michaelle C. Solages. “The Long Island Federally Qualified Health Centers, Inc. has a long history of aiding underserved, immigrant, and economically disadvantaged populations in the county. They are uniquely equipped to handle the COVID-19 testing process for our residents. I would like to thank their healthcare workers for the tremendous work they are doing in spite of this increasingly difficult situation. I will continue to work alongside the state and county in advocating for necessary resources,”
The rapid testing expansion has been facilitated by a partnership County Executive Curran has forged with Long Island’s community health clinics (or Federally Qualified Health Clinics, “FHQC”) to boost access to care in Nassau’s hardest-hit communities. The Elmont testing site is conveniently located and accessible by NICE Bus, which is currently not enforcing fare collection. Services are provided without regard to insurance or immigration status, and multilingual translation is available. According to county officials, the facility will also provide those who get tested with a free box of food supplies.
Assemblywoman Solages urges any resident who thinks they or someone in their household has COVID-19 to call 516-396-7500. All Nassau County testing locations are open for testing Monday – Friday from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, and all appointments must be made through the phone. Testing capacity in New York State remains limited, however, anyone with COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) should be tested as soon as possible. More information is available regarding Long Island FQHC at LIFQHC.org.
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