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Brooklyn leaders hail distribution of 60M at-home Covid tests

NYC is winning fight, but new cases still proliferate

September 27, 2022 Brooklyn Eagle Staff
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The NYC Test & Treat Corps announced Tuesday that its At-home Test Distribution Program has distributed 62 million free at-home tests to New Yorkers, approximately seven at-home tests for every city resident.

While COVID-19 cases are definitely decreasing here, according to the city Department of Health, the daily average of positive cases during the past seven days is still 2,118, the daily number of COVID-related hospitalizations is 45, and the average number of deaths per day is six.

The program’s network of more than 1,200 distribution partners — which include City libraries, NYC Parks facilities, cultural institutions and community- and faith-based organizations — have established distribution sites in 88 percent of New York City Zip codes.

“The city’s unparalleled at-home test distribution effort has brought self-testing to community hubs far and wide and hundreds of organizations representing the tremendous diversity of our languages, ethnicities and faiths,” said Mayor Eric Adams.

Leaders of Brooklyn institutions expressed optimism and support for the city’s efforts.

Linda E. Johnson, president and CEO of Brooklyn Public Library.
Photo courtesy of BPL

Linda E Johnson, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Public Library, said, “As trusted neighborhood spaces and community hubs, our branches have distributed thousands of at-home tests to Brooklynites across the borough, in addition to providing vaccines, masks and critical information to help our patrons make informed health choices. The success of this program is a testament to New Yorkers’ commitment to healthy communities.”

“Our visitors are grateful, even delighted, to receive free COVID tests when they visit the Museum,” said Anne Pasternak, director of the Brooklyn Museum. “By serving as a distribution site, we are expanding the ways we care for our communities and their health.”

“In addition to presenting its signature family programs, Brooklyn Children’s Museum was proud to serve Central Brooklyn during the COVID pandemic with health services, including distribution of tests and on-site vaccinations for children, caregivers, and community members,” said Stephanie Hill Wilchfort, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum.

“Cultural institutions serve many important roles, and we were glad to be able to be a resource for our community,” said Dr. Raymond Codrington, president & CEO of the Weeksville Heritage Center. “The more ways we can serve our public the better.”

Mayor Eric Adams. AP Photo/John Minchillo, File

“At-home tests are gladly received in the Coney Island and Brighton Beach communities,” said Vardrena Gambrell, program director for COVID Outreach at Brooklyn Community Services.

“The Brooklyn and Queens communities we serve are so appreciative of and extremely receptive to this service,” said Lance T. Morgan, program director, Family Services Network of NY. The organization manages the Bushwick Multi-Service Center as well as another center in Ocean Hill-Brownsville.

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