• State partners with churches to expand testing sites.
Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine announced Friday that new COVID- 19 testing sites will be created in Allegheny and Dauphin counties in partnerships with faith- based and community organizations.
To reduce the spread of COVID- 19 in high- risk communities, the announcement said that faith- based organizations, hospitals/ health systems and community health centers are working together to make testing more available.
The testing sites will be launched Saturday.
“Research shows that geographically, low- income areas, including Pennsylvania communities of Black or African American, Hispanic and/ or Spanish-speaking minorities, have been disproportionately affected with higher rates of COVID- 19,” Dr. Levine said.
“We know that appropriate testing, along with other public health interventions such as social distancing, wearing face masks, avoiding group gatherings and practicing hand washing can help communities mitigate transmission of COVID- 19.
“In seeking to address the racial disparities of COVID- 19 transmission, the department is looking to partner with important community- based organizations, such as faith- based organizations, to support and provide testing.”
In Allegheny County, the Allegheny Health Network, Cornerstone Care Community Health Center, Metro Community Health Center, North side Christian Health Center, Primary Care Health Services, StoRox Family Health Center have partered with the state.
So have 21 congregations representing the Faith Based Health Collaborative of Pittsburgh and the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Churches of God in Christ, the announcement said.
“While these relationships were built with the intention of closing the gap for COVID- 19 testing disparities, we are taking this opportunity to disseminate COVID- 19 messaging and foster longterm relationships with these churches,” Dr. Levine said.
The announcement notes that the administration of Gov. Tom Wolf will partner only with organizations and entities that have committed to non- discriminatory practices.
Testing at new sites will be held outdoors, where people may drive through or walk up to receive free testing.
An appointment is not necessary, according to the announcement. Still, participants are asked to bring a photo ID with them.
Test results should be received in two to three days on average.
The dates and times for testing at the sites in Allegheny County are listed below. Additional dates and times will be announced on the department’s website, Twitter and Facebook accounts.
Saturday: Braddock Family Health Center with Unity Baptist Church, 420 Fifth St ., Braddock, 11 a.m to 2 p.m.
Monday: Triumph Baptist Church, 1293 Mount Nebo Road, Ohio Township ,1 to 3 p.m.
Wednesday: Petra International Ministries, 235 Eastgate Drive, East Hills, 2 to 4 p.m.
Thursday: Mount Ararat Church, 271 Paulson Ave., East Liberty, 1 to 3 p.m. The Hill House Family Health Center with Calvary Baptist Church ,2629 Wylie Ave., Hill District, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 26, St. Paul AME Church, 400 Orchard Place, Knoxville, 1 to 3 p.m .; Jerusalem Baptist Church, 12 S. Fifth St., Duquesne, noon to 2: 30 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 28, Mount Olive First Baptist Church, 451 Park Ave., Clair ton, no onto 3 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 29, Pentecostal Temple Church of God In Christ, 6300 East Liberty Blvd., Larimer, 1 to 3 p.m.