New York officials will contract with 28 private labs to expand testing capaicty for conoravirus, Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday said. 

The development comes amid sustained criticism of the lack of tests from the federal government. 

The move still needs approval from the Food and Drug Administration and it will not lead to an immediate change for individuals seeking confirmation as to whether they have the virus. 

The labs the state is contracting with are specialized in virology and have worked before the state Department of Health. 

New York now has 216 confirmed coronavirus cases, with 121 people in Westchester County. New York City has 52 confirmed cases. 

The total number of actual cases though is likely far higher, however, given the lack of available tests.