COVID Testing Numbers Are Plummeting

As expected, New York City (NYC) data has found that as Omicron COVID case numbers dwindle so have COVID test numbers. In the last two weeks of January, PCR testing done in healthcare facilities has decreased by almost 50%. During last winter’s COVID wave this amount of decrease took six months. This means that PCR testing has decreased in an extremely short time period compared to other times during the pandemic.

In early January, every day approximately 133,300 New York residents were getting a PCR COVID test. Recently only about 86,700 New Yorkers are getting PCR COVID tested on any given day. Dr. Ted Long who is a primary care doctor and executive director of the New York City Test & Trace Corps is in agreement that COVID testing sites are doing less than 50% of the volume of testing compared to early January. Dr. Long said, “As omicron was under better control and people started to see cases were no longer sharply rising, the impetus to get tested also went down a bit across the city”.

Why Did Numbers Drop So Fast?

It is thought that one of the reasons testing numbers may have dropped quickly is because the holidays are over. Many people got tested before they traveled or gathered to see loved ones. Now that the holidays have ended, not as many people are getting together.

Another reason testing numbers may have dropped is because of how hard it was to get tested during the peak of the Omicron variant. Many people were frustrated because they were waiting hours or even days to get tested. Testing sites were booked for days. Healthcare systems were overwhelmed and some would only test if you were currently symptomatic because of demand. They had to turn people away who were requesting testing for travel or who had been exposed but didn’t have symptoms.

Result turnaround time also became an issue. Due to the increased volume, result turnaround times also increased. Previously PCR tests resulted in one to three days. During the Omicron peak, the PCR test result turnaround time was five days or more. Letitia James the New York State Attorney General had to send warning letters to testing centers and labs. He did this because turnaround times were so long and people needed their results faster. Result turnaround times have gotten better since the Omicron peak but are not fully back up to speed.

Lastly, testing numbers may have decreased so quickly because of the increased popularity and availability of at-home testing kits. One to the issues with home tests in NYC is that they are not reported into the city’s COVID records. This means that there may be lots of people testing at home but those tests and their results are not being recorded into the city’s data.

Resources

https://gothamist.com/news/nycs-covid-testing-numbers-are-shrinking-faster-ever

About Us

Here at HealthNeed Medical Urgent Care, our main goal is to provide an easy and friendly walk-in experience that will have you face to face with one of our many medical specialists within minutes of checking in and without an appointment. Our team of medical experts offers treatments anywhere from bandaging small scrapes and cuts to IVs. Come check out our offices that are open 365 days a year. We provide pediatric as well as senior medical care, with most health insurances accepted.

Queens Crossing
38–21 Main St, Suite 1A
Flushing, NY 11354

Wheelchair Accessible Entrance:
136–17 39th Ave, Suite 1A
Flushing, NY 11354

Phone: (718) 888–1808

Terms of Use and Disclaimer — The information contained in this document has been culled from online resources and government agencies and is for general informational purposes only. The information is provided in good faith to support the community and our friends impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We makes no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein. Your use of this document and your reliance on the information contained herein is solely at your own risk. All liability with respect to any reader, user or browser’s reliance on this document and/or actions taken or not taken based on the contents of this document is hereby expressly disclaimed.