Testing, Results and Treatment
COVID-19 Treatment is Available
Oral antiviral medications are available for treatment of COVID-19 and have been proven to decrease hospitalization for those that are at risk for severe disease. When given soon after a positive diagnosis, these antivirals also help fight infection and shorten recovery time. All treatments require a prescription and those who test COVID-19 positive should talk to their health care provider.
Westchester County residents who test positive and do not have a health care provider, regardless of income or health insurance coverage, are eligible to be evaluated for treatment by calling 888-TREAT-NY (888-873-2869) or by visiting the NYS COVID-19 ExpressCare Therapeutics Access website, which includes a telemedicine visit. The Hotline is operated by experienced Health + Hospitals professionals who have the clinical training to prescribe treatment and referrals if needed.
Who can be tested for COVID-19?
COVID-19 testing is available to all New Yorkers statewide.
Where can I be tested for COVID-19?
- Contact your health care provider to find out if they offer testing.
- CVS Pharmacies are offering testing at select locations. Visit the CVS COVID-19 Testing webpage for more information.
- At home, using an over-the-counter (OTC) test kit.
About COVID-19 Home Test Kits
- COVID-19 home tests or OTC tests are one of many measures that you can take to protect yourself and others by reducing the chances of spreading COVID-19.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the packet information insert for performing the test.
- Home tests produce rapid results, usually within 15 minutes. They can be used regardless of vaccination status, or whether or not you have symptoms. The vaccine cannot give you a false positive test result.
- A positive self-administered (parent assisted) test result means that the test has detected the virus and that you should stay home and isolate from others. You should notify your employer or school, as well as any close contacts such as household members, relatives or friends, that you have tested positive. A person with COVID-19 can begin spreading it starting two days before having any symptoms or the day that the specimen was collected.
- If you test positive for COVID-19, take steps to protect others regardless of your vaccination status. This includes isolating from others and notifying your close contacts about your positive test result.
- A negative self-test result means that the test did not detect the virus and you may not have an infection. However, a negative result does not rule out infection. Home or self-test kits generally require a second test at least 24 hours following the first test if the first test is negative to ensure the most accurate result. For this reason, test kits are usually sold in sets of two. If you have COVID-19 symptoms and a self-test indicates that you are negative, it is recommended that you have a healthcare provider or a lab perform a molecular test to confirm.
What should I do if I test positive for COVID-19?
If you have tested positive for COVID-19, take steps to protect others. This includes isolating from others and notifying your close contacts about your positive test result.