NYC Test & Trace Program Overview

What is the NYC Test & Trace Corps?

A public health initiative fighting COVID-19. Through FREE resources and action, the NYC Test & Trace Corps aims to contain the COVID-19 outbreak and protect our city. Officially launched on June 1, 2020, the NYC Test & Trace Corps is a group of doctors, public health professionals, and community advocates working to fight COVID-19 so that we all can get back to school and work, and help New York City reopen safely.  The work of the Corps is led by NYC Health + Hospitals in close collaboration with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and other city agencies.

What is the goal of the NYC Test & Trace Corps?

The Corps aims to keep New Yorkers safe by reducing the spread of the virus and helping those with confirmed COVID-19 disease separate safely from others and protect their loved ones. There are three key components of the work of the Corps: 

Test - FREE, confidential and safe COVID-19 testing is available to all New Yorkers at hundreds of testing sites across the City. The Corps aims to test 50,000 people per day by August 1.  

Trace - Tracing’s goal is to identify people who may have been exposed to the disease through close contact and help them find the best place to safely separate from others. With the help of thousands of trained public health professionals called Contact Tracers, this effort will provide support to New Yorkers who test positive for COVID-19. 

Take Care - Contact Tracers will make sure that everyone who tests positive for COVID-19 and their close contacts have the resources needed to safely separate in a hotel, free of charge or at home. Hotels will have 24/7 monitoring by skilled nurses and clinicians, wireless internet access, all meals provided, access to mental health and wellness services, and free unlimited local phone calls to stay connected to loved ones. For New Yorkers that choose to safely separate at home, the Take Care team will help them with access to food and medication delivery.

How will the NYC Test & Trace Corps ensure the privacy and security of personal information? 

The NYC Test & Trace Corps is committed to protecting the privacy and security of New Yorkers’ personal health information as required by federal, state and local law and in keeping with the NYC Health + Hospitals’ and the City Health Department’s long-time experience in guarding such information. The information that the NYC Test & Trace Corps receives through contact tracing is confidential and protected under the New York City Health Code.

The NYC Test & Trace Corps will not ask about anyone’s immigration status. The Corps database will not be linked to any law enforcement databases. Any information the NYC Test & Trace Corps obtains will be stored securely and used by authorized staff for the limited purpose of protecting public health.

Who can get tested?

All New Yorkers can get FREE COVID-19 diagnostic testing and antibody testing. All New Yorkers should get the COVID-19 diagnostic test, even if they don’t have symptoms. People who have no symptoms can also spread the virus.

Where can New Yorkers get tested?

There are hundreds of testing sites across the city, including at more than 30 NYC Health + Hospitals locations, at CityMD clinics, near NYCHA residences, at parks and recreational centers, and through mobile testing vans. To find a testing site near you, visit nyc.gov/covidtest or call 311.

Should people get tested more than once?

Repeat testing should be considered if your previous test was negative and you:

+  now have symptoms of COVID-19 such as shortness of breath, cough, fever, or loss of taste or smell

+ have spent time in large crowds

+ had contact with someone you think may have COVID-19

+ live or work in a congregate setting such as a nursing home or shelter

+ are going to spend time with someone with high-risk of serious illness (for example if you are going to visit a relative who is more than 65 years old or who has certain medical conditions that put them at risk like cancer)

What type of assistance will New Yorkers receive when isolating at home?

All New Yorkers who are safely separating at home and monitoring their health status will get daily check-in calls or text messages from a Contact Tracer who may also conduct in-person visits to check on their wellbeing. The NYC Test & Trace Corps will also provide access to meals and medications.

How can New Yorkers access a free hotel room to safely isolate if they have tested positive for COVID-19?

New Yorkers may be eligible for a free hotel stay of up to 14 days to safely separate and protect loved ones. Take Care Hotels are free, safe, comfortable and convenient. We provide transportation, meals, internet, cable tv, air conditioning, mental health and wellness services, and unlimited local calls to stay connected to loved ones. To ask about a hotel, call 1-844-NYC-4NYC (1-844-692-4692).

How can health care providers refer patients to hotels?

Any doctor, nurse, or physician assistant across the City can email CommCareCP@nychhc.org to refer a patient to a hotel room. If you don’t have a doctor, you can call 1-844-NYC-4NYC (1-844-692-4692), the City’s COVID hotline, to speak with a someone who can help you make a reservation. 

To learn more about NYC Test & Trace, visit testandtrace.nyc or call 1-844-NYC-4NYC.