UTICA, N.Y. – Mohawk Valley Health Systems is partnering with Masonic Medical Research Institute to increase coronavirus testing.

MVHS will take samples from the patients, and send it to the Masonic lab for testing.

MVHS President Darlene Stromstad says this will significantly increase the number of rapid tests that can be conducted daily.

“There has been a real shortage in testing materials, a real shortage. There have been days when we had long-term test results but the short, rapid tests that get people in and out and clear them for surgery -- there were days when we only had a few days’ worth. Today, with this partnership - we have access to 180 tests per day,” she said.

Working with Masonic will allow for same day test results, according to Stromstad, when the earlier tests took three days to return results.

She says this is important for patients scheduled for surgery, who must test negative before they can undergo any procedures.