UAlbany Hosts Upstate New York’s First State-Run COVID-19 Mobile Testing Site
ALBANY, N.Y. (April 9, 2020) – UAlbany staff members worked through the weekend in partnership with state officials, Albany Med and St. Peter's Health, to convert the Colonial Quad parking lot into a COVID-19 drive-through testing site – the first state-run mobile testing site in Upstate New York.
The testing site, which opened Monday, is testing at-risk individuals by appointment only. Residents who believe they have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, and have symptoms, can call the state’s COVID-19 hotline at 888-364-3065 to be assessed.
UAlbany President Havidán Rodríguez and Vice President for Finance and Administration Todd Foreman visited the site early Monday morning to thank National Guard members, police, medical staff and volunteers for their support.
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UPD Deputy Chief of Police Paul Burlingame (left), President Havidán Rodríguez and Vice President for Finance and Administration Todd Foreman stand together at the COVID-19 testing site on early Monday morning. (Photo by Paul Miller)
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“Given that the key to eradicating this virus is to increase testing, we are very pleased to be part of this effort,” Rodríguez said in an email to campus. “As you know, community engagement is a core priority at UAlbany. Working together, we can and will move through this crisis.”
The testing area is self-sufficient with access to bathroom facilities and waste collection dedicated to those working in the tents. New York State Police, the National Guard and UAlbany UPD officers are on site to help facilitate. The site is expected to have a minimal impact on the campus and poses no direct health risk to the community.
It will stay open as long as needed. Some roads are closed to facilitate traffic flow through the site, and anyone without an appointment to be tested is asked to avoid the northwest corner of campus, if possible
More than 1,500 people were tested in the first three days.
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A comprehensive public research university, the University at Albany-SUNY offers more than 120 undergraduate majors and minors and 125 master's, doctoral and graduate certificate programs. UAlbany is a leader among all New York State colleges and universities in such diverse fields as atmospheric and environmental sciences, business, education, public health,health sciences, criminal justice, emergency preparedness, engineering and applied sciences, informatics, public administration, social welfare and sociology, taught by an extensive roster of faculty experts. It also offers expanded academic and research opportunities for students through an affiliation with Albany Law School. With a curriculum enhanced by 600 study-abroad opportunities, UAlbany launches great careers.
