All New Yorkers with flu-like symptoms now eligible for COVID-19 tests

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo gets tested for coronavirus on live TV Sunday as he announces all people in the state experiencing flu-like symptoms are now eligible for tests.

Any New Yorkers experiencing flu-like symptoms or those who will be returning to work as part of phased reopenings across the state can now get tested, Cuomo says.

The state is expanding eligibility as it deals with a surplus of testing capacity. Cuomo says drive-thru and walk-in testing sites are performing about one-third of the 15,000 tests they are capable of each day.

In all, the state is testing about 40,000 people per day.

An agreement with CVS will allow samples to be collected at more than 60 pharmacies across the state, Cuomo says. Testing in New York City is being expanded to 123 CityMD walk-in clinics.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio also makes an urgent appeal Sunday for blood donations, saying coronavirus-related blood drive cancellations have led supplies to dwindle to about two days’ worth, which could mean postponing some surgeries.

— AP