Delays in COVID-19 test results cause anxiety, confusion in process

Thousands of Long Island residents who have been tested for COVID-19 have been left confused and unsure of how to find out if they tested positive for the virus.
George Drapman says he was tested for the coronavirus at Jones Beach nine days ago. As of Thursday morning, he still had no results -- but he's just one of many who have called News 12 frustrated about the wait.
"They said I would receive the results in three to four business days through the mail," says Drapman. "After the time had lapsed, I decided to call the state number and they referred me, because it was done at Jones Beach. They referred me to the Nassau County Department of Health."
Drapman says he called the state again, and they referred him to the county once more. The 67-year-old, three-time cancer survivor says he's been quarantined away from his wife and three children since he was tested.
"It's very frustrating. It's causing a lot of anxiety because of my condition. I'm worried, I want to be sure," he says.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo says more than 103,000 people have been tested statewide as of Wednesday. Drapman says he read a news article that said people awaiting results after being tested at Jones Beach or Stony Brook University could call BioReference Laboratories at 1-800-229-5227.
Drapman called the number up, and in a few short minutes he learned his results were negative. He says he's relieved, but feels something isn't right with the process.
State Department of Health spokeswoman Jill Montag said in an email that those who go through state-run drive-through sites can receive results by phone, fax or via the website for New Jersey-based BioReference Laboratories, which is testing respiratory samples.