BUFFALO, N.Y. — Erie County leaders are urging people to seek PCR tests if at-home tests show a negative result despite COVID-19 symptoms.

What You Need To Know

  • Erie County health department to extend free COVID testing hours amid a post-holiday surge

  • Starting Jan. 8, people can get tests daily — including weekends — from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

  • At-home tests have the possibility to produce a false negative result

  • Dr. Burstein said people who believe they have COVID should seek a lab test if at-home tests read negative

Dr. Gale Burstein, Erie County health commissioner, said at-home tests are a “tool” but can sometimes lead to a false negative due to a number of reasons, including improper use, test kits kept at improper temperatures and the fact that rapid tests are looking for proteins, not DNA and RNA.

“If it’s negative, especially if you have risk factors that can make you sick, like you’re not immunized, or if you are in close contact, exposed or if you have COVID-19-like symptoms, even mild symptoms because you’re vaccinated…and you have a negative home rapid test, you really need to go to a laboratory-based test.” said Burstein. “Especially if you’re around people that are very vulnerable, that can get really sick, like our seniors or people that are immunocompromised.”

Dr. Burstein said the county will offer free tests daily, including weekends, from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. starting Jan. 8.

According to data from the Erie County Department of Health, the weekly positivity rate doubled from 10% to 20% after the holidays. Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said 86% of hospital beds are full, but ICU numbers have not been rising.

To schedule a free COVID test, call 716-858-2929.