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Healthcare worker at work during Covid 19 outbreak

Source: HRAUN / Getty

New sites will remove any barriers that may exist to easily provide coronavirus screening and testing

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 14, 2020 – Atrium Health is rolling out additional Coronavirus Testing Centers this week, specifically aimed at addressing underserved and minority communities in Charlotte. Using a nationally leading model of integrating actionable Geographical Information System (GIS) data with mobile medical units, Atrium Health healthcare professionals will be able to screen and immediately test for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), when the patient’s symptoms meet the testing criteria.

Committed to continuing to find ways to address the specific needs of each community it serves, Atrium Health will also assess other social determinants of health with patients, including the ability to socially isolate and quarantine, and make connections to resources needed to address social needs.

“By meeting community members where they work, live and play, Atrium Health can further provide equitable care to those disproportionately affected by the coronavirus, including communities with limited access to transportation,” said Kinneil Coltman, senior vice president, chief community and external affairs officer at Atrium Health. “Through using a robust framework of actionable, real-time data, Atrium Health has identified specific areas in Charlotte’s underserved and minority communities with limited access to testing sites where our mobile health units can truly provide health, hope and healing – for all.”

To remove barriers that may exist for easy access of screening and testing sites, community members in the identified underserved areas will not need an appointment or a physician referral. Anyone experiencing symptoms including fever, cough, shortness of breath, and loss of smell and/or taste, should visit the Coronavirus Testing Center to be screened for immediate COVID-19 testing. Those with certain medical conditions could be at a higher risk for severe illness related to COVID-19, including those with chronic lung disease or moderate to severe asthma, serious heart conditions, diabetes, chronic kidney disease undergoing dialysis and liver disease.

In fulfilling its mission to provide health, hope and healing – for all, Atrium Health will ensure the ability to pay will not be an inhibiting factor for those who need screened and tested. Testing is available to those who do not have insurance coverage, as well as those with coverage or who are covered by a government program. Additionally, Atrium Health does not share a patient’s immigration status and will not report if a patient is undocumented.

The specific location of testing sites will be determined by emerging hot-spots identified by the latest GIS data on COVID-19 positive cases in the underserved community. The initial screening and testing COVID-19 will be at the following times, dates and locations:

  • 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Tuesday, April 14, in the Atrium Health NorthPark Parking Lot (251 Eastway Drive, Charlotte, NC  28213).
  • 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Thursday, April 16, in the First Baptist Church – West Parking Lot (1801 Oaklawn Ave., Charlotte, NC  28216).

–via Atrium Press Release

Atrium Health Expands Access to COVID-19 Testing in Underserved and Minority Communities  was originally published on praisecharlotte.com