Upstate University Hospital’s mammography van to be used for COVID-19 testing

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Upstate University Hospital says its mobile mammography will help in the regional effort for COVID-19 testing.

Beginning this week, the Upstate Covid Van — as the medical school is calling it — will be used as a drive-thru mobile testing site in Madison County. The Upstate Covid Van will support the region’s ability to maintain reopening benchmarks by meeting Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s designated COVID-19 testing criteria.

Staffed with three registered nurses, clinical support and clerical support staff from Upstate, the van will offer free testing to everyone, regardless of symptoms. Results are expected within 48 hours, Upstate said.

People are encouraged to pre-register by calling 315-464-2582. Testing will be available to those unregistered on a “first-come, first-served basis as capacity allows.” Individuals will be tested in their vehicles, as the van serves as base of operations for Upstate staff.

The van’s first mobile visit will be held Thursday from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at the county office building in Wampsville; and Friday from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at SUNY Morrisville. Additional dates are forthcoming, Upstate said.

“As the region’s only academic medical university, Upstate has a responsibility to innovate,” Dr. Robert Corona, CEO of Upstate University Hospital, said. “The Co-Van will provide testing services for communities in need. Upstate is fortunate to have this state-of-the-art vehicle that is being reimagined in order to provide a safe, effective and convenient solution to covid testing in our region.”

Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon praised Upstate’s partnership.

“Ensuring that Onondaga County and our region continues to have robust, proactive testing has been a top priority of my administration during this pandemic. Thank you to Upstate Medical University and Upstate University Hospital for their important partnership in our region’s effort to make sure people can get tested safely and quickly for COVID-19.”

The mobile van will help to ensure our region will continue to reopen the local economy in a coordinated, safe and strategic way, McMahon said.

The van, funded by a New York State Department of Health grant, was launched last summer as a part of Gov. Cuomo’s “No Excuses, Get Screened” breast cancer initiative, which is aimed at “getting rid of obstacles to breast-cancer screening” for women in New York, Upstate said.