Rapid coronavirus tests are being used to host private parties in the Hamptons
- Private parties in the Hamptons are administering rapid testing that can cost up to $500 per person that gets back within 10 to 30 minutes, CNN reported.
- Meanwhile, the NY Department of Health has been investigating a drive-in Hamptons concert where the Chainsmokers played and a Goldman Sachs CEO DJed after viral social media videos showed crowds appearing to not abide by social distancing guidelines.
- Public health experts previously told Business Insider that rapid testing is not fail-proof.
The Hamptons are still partying with the help of rapid testing that costs up to $500 per person and can return results within 10 to 30 minutes, CNN reported.
Dr. Asma Rashid, who runs a members-only medical concierge, told CNN this week that many clients in these wealthy communities are requesting rapid testing at private events.
According to Rashid, party guests consent to release their test results when taken at the door.
"Instead of having hors d'oeuvres at the party, now the theme is let's do rapid testing," Rashid told CNN this week.
The predominantly white and affluent community in New York has seen a vibrant social scene during the pandemic. Last month, a drive-in concert faced swift backlash when videos and photos on social media appeared to show crowds at the party not abiding by social distancing guidelines.
NY Governor Andrew Cuomo said at the time that he was "appalled" by the "egregious social distancing violations," and stated The NY Department of Health would conduct an investigation.
Rashid told CNN her clients are aware that the tests are not always accurate and they may return false positives or negatives.
As Business Insider's Hilary Brueck previously reported public health experts warned rapid testing is not fail-proof and may only pick up between 70 to 80 percent of all infected people. As of Saturday, Suffolk County, where the Hamptons is located, has reported 44,456 total cases of coronavirus with over 2,000 deaths so far, according to Johns Hopkins University.
- Read more:
- FDA's first-ever list of medical supply shortages says US needs more ventilators, gloves, surgical gowns
- A drive-in Hamptons concert where the Chainsmokers played and Goldman Sachs' CEO DJed is under fire for drawing crowds that weren't social distancing
- The Chainsmokers are getting backlash for their 'drive-in' Hamptons concert
- The US is in the middle of another coronavirus testing crisis — on a far larger scale than before