ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A joint announcement between New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman will help increase COVID-19 testing in St. Petersburg.
Governor Cuomo says he sent a team to St. Pete to help set up a site at the Pinellas Community Church.
The Governor says he was inspired by the generosity from other states at the beginning of the pandemic and that the people of New York are now here to help other hard-hit areas.
“We know what you’re going through. We’ve been watching the numbers,” said Governor Cuomo.
ABC Action News spoke with a doctor from New York who is now working at the new testing site. Dr. Yomaris Pena told us she was working at testing sites in the Bronx, New York, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic there.
"At that time we were very, very busy and we needed help. People from all these other states went and helped us. This is our way of saying we are paying it forward," said Pena.
She says she is here not only to test but to educate others about the virus and preventative measures.
In addition to setting up the new testing site, Governor Cuomo said his state sent necessary COVID-19 materials to St. Petersburg, including 7,500 test kits and PPE like gowns, face shields, masks and hand sanitizer.
"You just can't say 'thank you' enough," said Mayor Kriseman
The testing site will be available from Wednesday, July 29 to Saturday, August 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is free and you don't need insurance. The team can test up to 500 people a day.
To make an appointment, call 833-NYS4FLA.
To find the testing location closest to you, check out our interactive map.