New York, May 18 (IANS): New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has encouraged all individuals eligible for a COVID-19 test to receive one, as the state's daily testing capacity reached 40,000.

The appeal on Sunday came three weeks after Cuomo announced an agreement to work with the federal government to grow the state's daily testing capacity from 20,000 to 40,000 tests, reports Xinhua news agency.

People now eligible for a test include those who experienced flu-like symptoms, who had contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases, health care workers, nursing home workers and first responders, as well as those who were subject to a precautionary or mandatory quarantine.

Meanwhile, essential workers who directly interact with the public and those who were returning to their workplace in phase one of the state's reopening plan can get a test, said Cuomo.

"The more New Yorkers get tested, the better -- and we are going to ensure to all individuals who will return to the workplace in phase one of our reopening plan have access to testing," he said.

The state, the epicentre of the pandemic in the US, now has over 700 testing sites, and a new website has been launched for people to find a nearby location, according to the Governor.

To encourage those who feel reluctant to get tested, the governor acted as a model patient at his briefing and received a nasal swab test from a doctor on live TV, in order to show how quick and easy the test is.

"I'm not in pain. I'm not in discomfort," he said after the test.

"There is no reason why you should not get the test."

The governor also confirmed 1,889 additional COVID-19 cases statewide, bringing the total to 350,121, with 28,232 deaths.