In preparation for the May 11 expiration of the Federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency declaration that ends the funding source for pandemic response, NYC Health + Hospitals today announced plans to ensure New Yorkers continue to have the access to COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and treatment, as well as services to address Long COVID. After being on the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic for more than three years, NYC Health + Hospitals and the NYC Test & Treat Corps will transition remaining emergency-level operations from our hospital-based walk-in testing tents and mobile Test to Treat units to permanent services inside the public health care system’s hospitals and community-based outpatient care centers. COVID-19 testing, treatment, and vaccination will continue to be available at NYC Health + Hospitals locations by appointment through its online patient portal or by calling 1-844-NYC-4NYC. The health system will also continue to manage the City’s 212-COVID19 hotline, connecting New Yorkers to COVID-19 treatments through NYC Health + Hospitals/Virtual ExpressCare and Long COVID resources through its AfterCare program and COVID-19 Centers of Excellence.
“As the federal pandemic emergency and funding comes to an end, New York City and NYC Health + Hospitals will continue be there for all New Yorkers seeking testing, treatment, vaccination, and support if they’re dealing with Long COVID,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “I also want to thank NYC Health + Hospitals, the NYC Test & Treat Corps, the Health Department and all of the frontline health care workers who stepped up tremendously over the past three years through every phase of the pandemic.”
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“The last three years have categorically changed our lives. Thousands of children, families, partners, friends, colleagues, and loved ones have lost someone to the virus. Millions of New Yorkers have had the virus and have recovered,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “While we are now in a new phase of the pandemic where we are repositioning, we will continue providing the needed support to individuals and families that have questions, need to get tested, want to get vaccinated or boosted, or want to consult their health care provider about Long COVID concerns. NYC Health + Hospitals will continue to serve New Yorkers across the city to address each of these issues in a sustainable way, with public health infrastructure that is responsive should the pandemic shift. A profound thank you to our teams at NYC Health + Hospitals, DOHMH, and all of our frontline workers across government who have stepped up to serve their fellow New Yorkers throughout the pandemic.”
