COVID-19 drive-thru testing site opens at Anthony Wayne Recreation Area

A new Coronavirus mobile testing site is currently accepting patients by appointment only at the Anthony Wayne Recreation Area in Bear Mountain, right off exit 17 on the Palisades Interstate Parkway.

The location straddles the border of Orange and Rockland Counties.

According to officials from the New York State Department of Health, Orange or Rockland County residents can get an appointment to be tested by calling the Department of Health COVID-19 hotline: 1-888-364-3065.

When calling the hotline, individuals provide their information (such as name and age) and are asked a series of questions, such as whether they are symptomatic, have preexisting conditions, or have come in contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

After the call is completed, the individual’s information is put into a system, and after review, the Department of Health calls the person back with next steps regarding potential appointment information. As of right now, testing is being prioritized for those considered to be high-risk.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those groups include individuals over age 60 and people with underlying medical conditions.

Meanwhile, Bon Secours Charity Health System indicated on its web site that beginning March 17, Good Samaritan Hospital, a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth), has begun providing appointment-only drive-through coronavirus (COVID-19) specimen collection for current and former patients whose physicians are affiliated with Bon Secours Medical Group, Good Samaritan Hospital, St. Anthony Community Hospital and Bon Secours Community Hospital with a verified COVID-19 testing appointment.

A referral from one of these physicians is mandatory and specimen collection will be conducted only by appointment. Patients who are experiencing symptoms that may indicate illness need to contact their physician’s office to be screened. Current and former patients who meet the current screening criteria will then be given an appointment for drive-through testing.

There was no word on whether St. Anthony Community Hospital would also provide drive-through testing, although the Times Herald-Record reported that Warwick Town Supervisor Michael Sweeton indicated it would by week's end.