UPDATE: Putnam Moves COVID-19 Test Site

UPDATE: Putnam County officials have moved the site of their free coronavirus test clinic to the Paladin Center. It's still in Carmel, but at 39 Seminary Hill Road.

To expand local access to coronavirus testing, the Putnam County Health Department opened the Carmel coronavirus testing clinic Monday and plans to open another in a week.

Meanwhile, a free vaccination clinic will be held from 1-3:30 p.m. Tuesday at the former Dress Barn in Putnam Plaza in Carmel .

The free rapid tests will be offered to the public on a walk-in basis seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning Dec. 27.

A second clinic will open Jan. 3 at the Philipstown Recreation Center.

At both, starting Jan. 3, from 6-9 a.m. the clinics will offer tests to school-age children.

"Putnam County understands the strain on residents and healthcare providers alike, due to this current surge in cases, “ Commissioner of Health, Michael J. Nesheiwat, MD said. “Expanded access to testing, both through TTS and rapid testing sites on both sides of the county will alleviate some stress and help keep our communities healthy.”

Health department officials are working with school districts who choose to implement Test to Stay (TTS), a serial testing strategy that enables close contacts to avoid school quarantines. Local implementation plans and policies are still being developed, they said.

The testing plan is the result of a public-private collaboration, said Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell. "Time is of the essence when it comes to Covid testing and since the state is not offering a testing site anywhere in our region, we had to be proactive and find a way to establish our own site in Putnam County."

“Putnam County healthcare providers are overwhelmed with the current demand for testing,” Odell said. “Residents are waiting days to access tests and, in some cases, are traveling far distances to receive basic healthcare. The county’s expanded partnership with Ambulnz allows us to set up rapid test sites on both sides of the county as soon as December 27.”

The Putnam County Department of Health announced that in the new year, local school districts will have the opportunity to implement Test to Stay (TTS), a serial testing strategy that enables close contacts to avoid school quarantines. Local implementation plans and policies must align with the guidance from the state health department and are still being developed.

Putnam County Department of Health plans are being finalized with the understanding that the state health department is currently reviewing the Test to Stay studies shared by the CDC and will be releasing updated guidance in the coming days.

"Putnam County understands the strain on residents and healthcare providers alike, due to this current surge in cases, “ Commissioner of Health, Michael J. Nesheiwat, MD said. “Expanded access to testing, both through TTS and rapid testing sites on both sides of the county will alleviate some stress and help keep our communities healthy.”

As always, anyone eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, including booster doses, is encouraged to make vaccination appointments in advance and speak directly to their healthcare provider if they have any questions, Dr. Nesheiwat said.

PCDOH will continue to focus on vaccination clinics in Carmel and Philipstown to ensure all residents choosing to get vaccinated will have access to an appointment. Getting vaccinated, staying home when you are sick, wearing a mask when in public spaces, and maintaining good hand hygiene — these actions continue to be the best ways to stay safe this holiday season, Dr. Nesheiwat said.

“We will continue to step up and meet the needs of our residents by continued partnerships with businesses to ramp up testing — and our local health department will remain focused on vaccination clinics as long as there is local demand,” Odell said.

This article originally appeared on the Southeast-Brewster Patch