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STONECREST— New Birth Missionary Baptist Church is partnering with RoweDocs and MAJL Laboratories to offer a free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing site on the church’s campus on Sunday, May 10. Testing begins at 11 a.m. and concludes at 3 p.m.
Individuals who do not have insurance or receive Medicaid and Medicare coverage are encouraged to participate.
Dr. Tisa Rowe of RoweDocs said the free testing provided by trusted community-based organizations is essential in helping to close the mortality gap and eliminating healthcare disparities surrounding COVID-19.
“It is evident based on initial outcome data that minority individuals are not being tested early enough to prevent premature death related to COVID-19,” said Rowe. “Due to the lengthy history of discrimination in the healthcare industry, minorities are reasonably wary of unconscious bias and outright racism that may impact the quality care they receive. By offering free telemedicine services and drive-through testing, we are ensuring everyone truly has access to testing and ongoing medical care.”
New Birth, which recently partnered with the Allen Entrepreneurial Institute to open a retreat center for medical professionals, will serve as the location for the onsite testing.
“In Georgia, African Americans have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-10 pandemic, with reports suggesting that 80% of those hospitalized are minorities. As our death toll continues to increase daily, it is imperative that we do all we can to combat this disease,” said New Birth Senior Pastor Jamal Bryant. “Despite the sobering numbers of the growing COVID-19 cases and deaths around the globe, I want to encourage our community, especially those who may not have healthcare coverage, to take full advantage of this opportunity to get tested.”
No registration is required. All interested individuals should enter through the Evans Mill Road or Lithonia Industrial Boulevard entrances.
Medical partners will administer COVID-19 tests during the Mother’s Day event with a hope to encourage families to repurpose the day with a focus on health and wellness.
“The coronavirus has not stopped the church from being the church. Instead of taking your mother to a customary meal, we want you to bring your bother and the entire family to be tested,” Bryant said.
The drive-thru testing site will consist of multiple medical stations, staffed by medical professionals and volunteers. At each station, clinical professionals will administer the COVID-19 tests and individuals with positive test results will be consulted by RoweDocs for additional medical treatment.
