ERIE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH UPDATE April 17, morning

ERIE COUNTY, NY – The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) is announcing the expansion of its testing categories for people with COVID-19 symptoms who can be tested through the Erie County Public Health Lab.

A COVID-19 test will now be available to people who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and who are currently working in industries deemed “essential” by New York State and Empire State Development. Those include but are not limited to utilities, grocery stores, pharmacies, transportation, restaurants, food processing, building cleaning and maintenance, child care services, auto repair, convenience stores, gas stations and hardware stores.

Symptoms of COVID-19 may include fever (100.4 degrees or higher), cough or shortness of breath.

For ECDOH, the testing request does not need to come from a health care provider. However, we are urging anyone who has a fever, cough, shortness of breath or other symptoms to contact their physician for medical advice and information on how to manage their symptoms. For those who do not have a primary care provider, ECDOH can provide referrals to provider offices that are accepting new patients.

Individuals who are scheduled for testing through ECDOH will be provided with isolation information when their sample is collected. Results will be provided to tested individuals by phone. Call (716) 858-2929, option 2 to initiate the testing process.

Erie County and Kaleida Health are coordinating efforts to increase the availability of testing in Western New York. As noted in a press release this morning (Friday, April 17), Kaleida Health has also expanded its laboratory testing capacity, and is now also including essential workers with COVID-19 symptoms. It is important to note that for testing through Kaleida Health, a prescription or referral from a physician is required. Individuals with testing questions can call the Kaleida Health Coronavirus Hotline at (716) 859-3222 (7 a.m. – 7 p.m., every day) or visit www.kaleidahealth.org.