Providing wide range COVID-19 testing has been challenging, local and county officials said last week as the first of several neighborhood sites opened at the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church.
Public Health Officer Dr. Olivia Kasirye thanked Dr. Ephraim Williams, pastor of the Oak Park-area church, for partnering with the County to become a location for “those who really need to be able to access testing and education as well.”
Testing has been available at a drive-through site at Cal Expo and at hospitals such as the UC Medical Center and Kaiser, but members of the African American community have voiced concerns about accessibility, the collection and reporting of personal information and results, and barriers to the testing, including the lack of computer technology that had been required to secure appointments at the Cal Expo site.
The site is now offering free testing by appointment on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for those ages 16 and older, living in zip codes 95817 and 95820.
Testing will be available for all ages who live in the community served by the center on Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. To make an appointment, call (916) 990-1311.
