Coronavirus: Dutchess County preparing COVID-19 testing site at Dutchess Stadium

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Dutchess County is preparing to open up a mobile coronavirus testing facility this week at Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill.

"We are ramping up for testing," said Ron Hicks, assistant county executive.

Only those with an appointment will be tested at the site, and a date is not set for it to open.

Tents are set up in the stadium's auxiliary parking lot. There was also a sign in the parking lot on Saturday afternoon stating "COVID-19 SCRNING APPT. ONLY"

When the site opens, residents who are experiencing symptoms should call their doctor for a screening. For those who fit the criteria, the doctor will order a test and provide a number to call to set up an appointment. No one without an appointment will be tested.

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More than 10,000 have tested positive for coronavirus across the state as of Saturday afternoon; more than 60 had tested positive in Dutchess County according to the county Sunday morning. The totals have soared in recent days as testing kits become more available and testing has increased.

The county has been looking at multiple sites and the stadium was one of them, Hicks said. The stadium was chosen because of its large parking lot and proximity to expressways. Southern Dutchess also has a large population.

Hicks did not know if the tests would be sent to labs outside of the county.

The county has been looking at a number of locations so that it can scale up once it has the resources, currently those testing resources are limited, he said. The state has final approval on what sites are chosen.

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On Friday, County Executive Marc Molinaro noted between Dutchess and Ulster counties there are three facilities planned, two of which in areas “regionally beneficial to both counties.” The hope is that all are open this week.

Last week, drive-thru testing sites were set up at Anthony Wayne Recreation Area on the border of Rockland and Orange County, and at St. Anthony Community Hospital in Warwick.

Saba Ali: SAli1@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-451-4518.