“The expanded testing is designed to accommodate anyone in
Cattaraugus County who wishes to be tested for COVID-19,” said Dr. Kevin D. Watkins, public health director, Cattaraugus County
Health Department. [Only residents that are symptomatic will have to be
quarantine.]
“Clearly,
we need to increase the number of COVID-19 tests,” Dr. Watkins said. “Testing
is the only way we get a realistic view of the spread of the virus in our
region. To date, 1,227 residents have been tested out of the 76,000 people
living in the county. That is not enough.”
Jeff
Zewe, president and CEO of Olean General Hospital and Bradford Regional Medical
Center, member hospitals of Upper Allegheny Health System, said OGH will partner
with the health department to get the word out.
He also said Olean General will begin offering antigen testing to all its
employees. “We have been at the forefront of employee and patient safety
throughout this pandemic,” Zewe said.
“We are currently offering antibody testing to all employees. Adding
antigen testing for staff and the community will help build employee and
community confidence.”
Zewe
said the expanded testing was made possible by Kaleida Health furnishing 600
test kits to the Cattaraugus County Department of Health.
Dr.
Watkins said increased testing is also a key part of clearing the way for the
region to reopen. Under Gov. Cuomo’s mandate, in order for a region to reopen
as a whole, it must be testing on a level of 30 people per 1,000
population. Cattaraugus County is part
of the Western New York region, along with Chautauqua, Allegany, Erie and
Niagara counties.
“The
community needs to understand that the Western New York region, including Cattaraugus
County, will not reopen unless certain metrics are met, including meeting the
required testing levels. We are testing approximately 30 per day. We need to be
at 120 per day,” said Dr. Watkins.
Zewe
said UAHS will also assist with engaging business and community leaders in an
awareness campaign to encourage everyone to get tested for COVID-19. “We want everyone to get tested as a health
and safety issue first but also to assist having our region reopen and get
people back to work and get the economy moving,” Zewe said.
Testing
locations include:
Cattaraugus
County Department of Health Drive Through Testing Sites located at:
Allegany/Limestone
School Bus Garage, 104 Maple Ave,
Allegany
Cattaraugus/Little
Valley Bus Garage, 9447 Pleasant Valley, Little Valley
Wellnow
Urgent Care , 921 Wanye St, Olean (this
site does not need
All testing requires pre-registration and an
appointment time. Walk-ins will not be accepted.
To register for testing go to
www.cattco.org/covid-19-test or call 716-938-9119. After registration,
you will be contacted to schedule your testing time and location.
