Cuomo takes coronavirus test at press conference and urges more New Yorkers to do the same

Governor Cuomo announced that there was more capacity for coronavirus testing, and on Sunday showed how simple it can be

New York governor Andrew Cuomo has been swabbed during an on-air coronavirus test to demonstrate how simple testing can be.

That came as Mr Cuomo told New Yorkers on Sunday that there was enough testing capacity to ensure those who needed to be tested could do so.

The governor’s live test on television was designed to show any “doubting Thomas” how simple the process is.

“There is nothing about this test that should intimidate people from not taking this test. It is fast, it is easy,” said Mr Cuomo on Sunday. “It is so fast and so easy that even a governor can take this test.”

The test was carried-out by Dr. Elizabeth DuFort, who Mr Cuomo assured was “in the appropriate PPE wear” to administer his Covid-19 test.

Wearing all personal protective equipment items, including gown, gloves and mask, Dr. DuFort inserted the long swab, known as a nasopharyngeal swab, deep into Mr Cuomo’s nose for around five seconds.

“That’s it, nothing else – told you”, added Mr Cuomo. “Closing my eyes was a moment of relaxation. There is no reason why you should not get the test”.

“That is the whole test. I’m not in pain. I’m not in discomfort,” said Mr Cuomo afterwards. “You don’t even have to be New York tough to take that test.”

The swab is the initial stage of the diagnostic PCR test, which is the most common and most accurate test for confirming whether someone has contracted the coronavirus, said CNN.

Mr Cuomo’s swab sample would have been sent to a lab that could test for the presence of Covid-19 within one day or more.

New York, which has been at the epicentre of the American pandemic, has been conducting up to 40,000 coronavirus tests across 700 sites each day, continued Mr Cuomo on Sunday.

“We have more sites and more testing capacity than we’re using,” said the governor.

Tests are available to key workers and those who have symptoms or those who have been in contact with someone known to have Covid-19.

“The more tests, the better for the state, the better for society, the better for your family, the better for you,” added Mr Cuomo.

Seven areas, including upstate New York, have now matched all seven state reopening criteria which includes mass testing.