NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A crush of people descended on a city-run site where free at-home COVID-19 tests were being handed out Friday as police tried to control the crowd, photos show.
People form a large crowd as they attempt to receive COVID-19 testing kits from city workers distributing the kits along Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn on Dec. 24, 2021.Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Residents filled the corner of Flatbush and Church avenues in Flatbush—one of five locations citywide where COVID-19 test kits were being distributed for free Friday.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
People form a large crowd as they attempt to receive COVID-19 testing kits from city workers distributing the kits along Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn on Dec. 24, 2021.Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Photos show people packed shoulder to shoulder as they try to get their hands on the coveted tests, which have been hard to find as New York sees a surge in COVID-19 cases with the highly contagious omicron variant.
There appeared to be some heated moments, and NYPD officers were seen at the site.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
People form a large crowd as they attempt to receive COVID-19 testing kits from city workers distributing the kits along Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn on Dec. 24, 2021.Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the five at-home test locations on Thursday as the city tries to reduce lines at private and public testing sites, but it appeared more people showed up than anticipated, with only 2,000 tests available.
As demand for tests surges, the city's public health system said many walk-in sites would close early Friday and Saturday for the holidays.
People form a large crowd as they attempt to receive COVID-19 testing kits from city workers distributing the kits along Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn on Dec. 24, 2021.Spencer Platt/Getty Images
People form a large crowd as they attempt to receive COVID-19 testing kits from city workers distributing the kits along Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn on Dec. 24, 2021.Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Earlier this week, urgent care company CityMD announced it was temporarily closing 19 of its locations in New York and New Jersey due to staffing issues.
New York state again saw a record number of COVID-19 cases on Friday, with over 44,000 reported.
