Lincoln Diagnostic: Helping Long Island Combat COVID-19 by Providing Free PCR Testing

LongIsland.com

PCR tests are far superior to store-bought COVID rapid tests, whose results can often be hit-or-miss.

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Located at 45 West John Street in Hicksville, Lincoln Diagnostic is a walk-in and drive-through semi-permanent COVID-19 testing site specializing in PCR tests.

Photo by: Lincoln Diagnostic

With the COVID-19 pandemic still making its presence felt to this day, mainly due to the prevalence of the current, highly-transmissible Omicron variant, having access to professional, high-quality, and reliable testing options – especially when it comes to mandated requirements for travelling or for your job – is vitally important. These tests are also extremely vital for seniors and people with compromised immune systems. This segment is averaging  about 2,600 fatalities a day and 80% of that number are over the age of 75, according to the Washington Post. 
 
Located at 45 West John Street in Hicksville, Lincoln Diagnostic is a federal government-backed walk-in and drive-through semi-permanent COVID-19 testing site specializing in PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, which are the only kind of COVID tests that are accepted by airlines, employers, and other official entities due to their accuracy and reliability.
 
PCR tests are far superior to store-bought COVID rapid tests, site manager Allen said, whose results can often be hit-or-miss.
 
“Rapid tests aren’t accurate…one day you can be negative, the next day you can be positive,” he said. “However, PCR tests are over 90 percent accurate, and are sanctioned through state labs and government facilities. They’re authorized for traveling, going back to school, or any employees that need regular testing by their jobs….PCR is what they’re accepting.”
 
Their hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and no appointments are needed; simply walk and/or drive up and you will be helped in the order that you arrived in. The testing process itself takes mere moments, and results are delivered via text message and/or email within 24 to 72 hours, depending on how busy the site is.
 
“Our lab is extremely fast, so sometimes we can deliver results in less than 24-48 hours,” Allen said, who added that testing is free for anyone who comes, either via their individual medical insurance plans, or – for those without insurance – coverage by the federal government, which is subsidizing the facility.
 
When it comes to finally putting an end to the COIVD-19 pandemic, which has been plaguing us all for over two years at this point – and has claimed over 900,000 lives in the U.S. alone at this point – the main weapon to achieve that lofty goal, Allen said, is getting tested regularly.
 
“Regular testing, especially PCR testing, is the only way we have to know who is positive and who is negative,” he said. “The reason the positivity rate has been going down lately is because of testing. If people stop testing – which is the only defense that we have – COVID can get rampant again, especially with new variants popping up. PCR is the only protection against that.”
 
The Hicksville Lincoln Diagnostic site is slated to remain in its current location for as long as necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic – years, if need be – delivering fast and effective testing options for anyone who needs them to ensure that they are keeping their friends, loved ones, and co-workers safe and healthy.