Free COVID-19 testing available at faith-based sites in county
The Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) is reminding residents of a series of free COVID-19 testing events that will take place in the parking lots of faith-based organizations over the next few weeks.
Pennsylvania Department of Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine announced Friday that testing sites will be launched in communities in Allegheny and Dauphin counties in faith-based settings. The Allegheny County Health Department along with the Allegheny Health Network, Cornerstone Care Community Health Center, Metro Community Health Center, Northside Christian Health Center, Primary Care Health Services, Inc., Sto-Rox Family Health Center and 21 congregations representing both the Faith Based Health Collaborative of Pittsburgh, and the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of the Churches of God in Christ have joined together with the Pennsylvania Department of Health for this program.
“COVID-19 testing should be available to everyone, and these local events will help provide access to some of our communities most in need,” said ACHD Director Dr. Debra Bogen. “Allegheny County’s health care providers, including our FQHCs, and the faith-based organizations here have repeatedly answered the call to bring testing into neighborhoods across the county, and this partnership augments the important work to ensure COVID-19 testing available for all.”
Dr. Bogen added that broad-based testing is a critical tool to controlling the spread of COVID-19. ACHD has been able to purchase about 30,000 COVID-19 tests from Curative to provide to FQHCs. Testing is open to anyone who may have been exposed to COVID-19, whether they have symptoms or not.
“We are partnering with important community-based organizations such as faith-based organizations to support and provide testing to those who need it,” Dr. Levine said. “We encourage health care providers to follow our lead in partnering with these organizations to create testing sites at faith based settings in impacted communities across the state. All Pennsylvanians deserve equal access to care especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Dr. Levine recorded a video statement about the testing events in Allegheny County. View the full video hereor download a high resolution version here. More information about the faith-based COVID-19 testing is available here: https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/coronavirus/Pages/Faith-Based-Testing.aspx.
The tests are free. Prescriptions or referrals are not needed. Insurance is not needed, but those with insurance should bring their information for tracking purposes only. Pre-registration is not required.
Testing events will occur outdoors where participants may drive through or walk up. On average, the turnaround time to receive results will be two to three days after testing.
Testing at faith-based settings started Saturday, October 17, in Allegheny County with testing at the Braddock Family Health Center with United Baptist Church. Another event was held Monday, October 19, at Triumph Baptist Church in Ohio Township.
Testing will occur at the following sites this week and next:
Wednesday, October 21
Petra International Ministries
235 Eastgate Drive, Pittsburgh, PA, 15235
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Thursday, October 22
The Hill House Family Health Center with Calvary Baptist Church
2629 Wylie Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15219
11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Mount Ararat Church
271 Paulson Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Monday, October 26
Jerusalem Baptist Church
12 S. 5th St, Duquesne, PA, 15110
12:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Hilltop Community Health Center with St. Paul AME Church
151 Ruth Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15211
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Wednesday, October 28
Mt. Olive First Baptist Church
451 Park Ave., Clairton, PA, 15025
12:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Thursday, October 29
Pentecostal Temple Church of God In Christ
6300 E Liberty Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA, 15207
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
