CVS locations remain busy with COVID testing

MILLERTON — CVS Pharmacy is offering no-cost drive-up coronavirus testing at both its Route 44 Millerton location and its Route 22 Dover Plains location. 

Patients must be at least 18 years of age to get tested for COVID-19, which has limited appointments to those who qualify. According to the pharmacy’s website, www.cvs.com, “Because of limited supplies and in accordance with CDC guidelines, testing is limited to certain patients.”

An insurance card and proof of identity are required, as well as an email or text confirming the test appointment (made at www.MinuteClinic.com). Those who are uninsured are advised to have their Social Security number (card not needed), driver’s license or state ID “to submit the cost of their test to the federal program for the uninsured,” according to the CVS website.

There are also free test sites run by New York state, approved by the FDA, which can be found online at www.coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-testing. 

According to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s website, www.governor.ny.gov, “Testing is free to all eligible New Yorkers as ordered by a health care provider or by calling the New York State COVID-19 hotline at 1-888-364-3065.”

New Yorkers who go to a test site operated by “local governments, private companies including pharmacies and medical practices or not-for-profit organizations are advised to check with the testing site and their insurers in advance of being tested to confirm if they will be responsible for any fees associated with their test,” according to Cuomo’s office.

The test at CVS — both in Millerton and in Dover Plains — is conducted at the pharmacy’s drive-thru; the patient is asked to swab his or her nose while remaining in his or her vehicle. Afterward, the sample is sent to one of CVS’s lab partners; CVS then emails the patient a link, which will send the results, typically within six to 10 days. 

CVS tests for active infections only; it does not administer antibody tests, which indicate whether someone has been infected with COVID in the past.

According to the governor, local health departments “are the best community contact for COVID-19 concerns.

“The single most important thing we can do to combat and contain the novel coronavirus is test for it,” he stated online.

To call CVS in Millerton, dial 518-789-3444; to call CVS in Dover Plains, dial 845-877-6372.

There are other testing sites throughout Dutchess County, primarily in Poughkeepsie, Hopewell Junction and Hyde Park. For more information, call the county’s Department of Behavioral & Community Health at 845-486-3400 or go to healthinfo@dutchessny.gov.

Meanwhile, in an email sent to town of North East community members on Thursday, July 16, North East town Supervisor Chris Kennan said there’s been “some concerning news” from the county regarding rising coronavirus numbers.

“There has recently been a significant increase in cases of COVID-19 in Dutchess County” wrote Kennan. “Up to now, here in the Town of North East, we have been spared much of this dangerous and destructive epidemic. But it would be naive and foolish to think we are in the clear. We’re not.”

He clarified days later that active numbers in the county “have gone up” by a few dozen on Saturday, which though “not as high as in April” is still concerning. 

“We just want to be vigilant,” he said.

As of last week, North East had between zero and five COVID cases reported while the village of Millerton reported the same. Kennan said locally low numbers are no reason to let up on important safety measures.

“We may be tired of these hot and uncomfortable masks, we may long for more social interaction, but we need to stay strong and stay safe,” he implored. “We all need to keep wearing our masks when in public or unable to maintain social distancing. We need to avoid larger gatherings, especially indoors. It’s an Executive Order from the governor, but it’s also the main thing we can do, as individuals, to keep ourselves, our families and each other healthy. Let’s just do it, for each other.”

According to the New York State Department of Health, as of Monday, July 20, there were 4,376 confirmed COVID cases in Dutchess County, 153 deaths, 3,994 people recovered, 78,781 tests completed and 229 active cases.

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