CityMD Closes 2 LI Clinics Amid Staff Shortages
LONG ISLAND, NY — CityMD is temporarily closing two of its Long Island urgent-care clinics amid staffing shortages as the omicron variant of COVID-19 continues to spread, the company announced Tuesday.
The chain's Bay Shore North Sunrise Highway and Merrick locations both closed starting Wednesday, along with 13 other CityMD locations across New York City. Certain locations in New Jersey and Westchester are also not in operation.
CityMD has become exceptionally popular for its free COVID-19 tests, with increased demand as cases rise in Long Island. Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone announced Tuesday that Suffolk County's seven-day rolling average hit 13.6 percent, its highest since the early days of the pandemic.
The company advised residents near the Bay Shore North Sunrise Highway site, found on 1757 Sunrise Highway, to use the Bay Shore South Sunrise Highway location on 1850 Sunrise Highway. Those who would use the Merrick clinic, located at 1989 Merrick Road, were told they can head to the Bellmore CityMD, located at on 2459 Merrick Road.
The chain said that most of its locations are already operating at full capacity, and are striving to meet the needs of both patients and healthcare workers.
"Continuing to provide these services to the community is a top priority; however, our physicians and teammates are also a priority," read a statement on their website.
Long Island residents are already struggling to obtain tests, as at-home tests are scarce at pharmacies and store.
No date was given for when the clinics would reopen. The full list can be found here.
This article originally appeared on the Bay Shore Patch
