Scale up of COVID-19 testing services in NYC, 2020-2021: Lessons Learned to Maximize Reach, Equity and Timeliness

Scale up of COVID-19 testing services in NYC, 2020-2021: Lessons Learned to Maximize Reach, Equity and Timeliness | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Scale up of COVID-19 testing services in NYC, 2020-2021: Lessons Learned to Maximize Reach, Equity and Timeliness Lorna Thorpe, Sarah Conderino, Stefanie Bendik, Carolyn Berry, and 10 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3965462/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 2 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract During infectious disease epidemics, accurate diagnostic testing is key to rapidly identify and treat cases, and mitigate transmission. When a novel pathogen is involved, building testing capacity and scaling testing services at the local level can present major challenges to healthcare systems, public health agencies and laboratories. This mixed methods study examined lessons learned from the scale-up of SARS CoV-2 testing services in New York City (NYC), as a core part of NYC’s Test & Trace program. Using quantitative and geospatial analyses, the authors assessed program success at maximizing reach, equity and timeliness of SARS CoV-2 diagnostic testing services across NYC neighborhoods. Qualitative analysis of key informant interviews elucidated key decisions, facilitators and barriers involved in the scale-up of SARS-CoV-2 testing services. A major early facilitator was the ability to establish working relationships with private sector vendors and contractors to rapidly procure and manufacture necessary supplies locally. NYC residents were, on average, less than 25 minutes away from free SARS CoV-2 diagnostic testing services by public transport, and services were successfully directed to most neighborhoods with highest transmission rates, with only one notable exception. A key feature was to direct mobile testing vans and rapid antigen testing services to areas based on real-time neighborhood transmission data. Municipal leaders should prioritize fortifying supply chains, establish cross-sectoral partnerships to support and extend testing services, plan for continuous testing and validation of assays, ensure open communication feedback loops with CBO partners, and maintain infrastructure to support mobile services during infectious disease emergencies. Full Text Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Editor assigned by journal 20 Feb, 2024 First submitted to journal 16 Feb, 2024 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-3965462","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":274179873,"identity":"60988188-f906-4a16-aeea-1533706b084d","order_by":0,"name":"Lorna 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