KINGSTON – A third testing site is being added in Ulster County’s fight against the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.
The new location will be in Midtown Kingston and is expected to be operational next week. Two other sites are in operation – at Tech City in the Town of Ulster and at Ellenville Regional Hospital.
At the same time as County Executive Patrick Ryan announced the third site in partnership with HealthAlliance, he said 17 people have lost their lives to the virus in Ulster County. “The idea here is we know we need more testing, particularly for communities that have struggled to access testing and other healthcare resources and this one important step to address that here in Ulster County,” he said.
Ryan also noted the disproportionate impacts of the virus on communities of color. In response, he has directed the county Human Rights Commission to develop a plan and work with the communities to better ensure equity and access to information, treatment, and other resources.
“The Human Rights Commission will do everything in its power to ensure that residents from underprivileged communities have the resources that they need to keep themselves and their families safe during COVID-19,” said County Human Rights Commissioner Tyrone Wilson.
Ryan also directed the health department to reach out to all senior living facilities that are at high risk to offer guidance and to better coordinate on COVID-19 response. The rapid response team will support those facilities with testing, PPE, and setting up health protocols for the 13 senior living facilities in the county.
