NEWSROOM

Equality Health announces COVID-19 Testing Events in West Phoenix

Free viral testing hosted with support from the city of Phoenix on June 20 and June 27

MEDIA ADVISORY

Date: 6/10/20

(PHOENIX) June 10, 2020 — The Equality Health Foundation, a leading advocate in combatting health disparities rooted in economic, racial and social conditions, is providing free COVID-19 drive-thru testing events on two Saturdays this month—June 20 and June 27—for families and individuals disproportionately impacted by the novel coronavirus. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) people from racial and ethnic minorities are falling ill and dying at a higher rate than the general population making testing critical. And with a spike in reported COVID-19 cases in Arizona knowing individual health status can help protect public health.

Starting Saturday, June 20, free drive-thru testing services for COVID-19 will be provided in partnership with the city of Phoenix, Sonora Quest Laboratories and Equality Care Center. The testing will occur at Desert West Park and Sports Complex from 6 a.m. – 11 a.m. Event organizers, comprised of Equality Health medical professionals, highly experienced in providing culturally competent healthcare to diverse and underserved populations and attune to their unique concerns, are prepared to test as many as 500 people. While not required, it will help organizers if people sign up for their preferred testing day online at www.equalityhealthfoundation.org/phx or by calling 602-889-9401. The event is open to the community at large. People will not be asked for ID or proof of insurance at these events and people are encouraged to get screened for testing if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, shortness of breath or loss of smell and/or taste. It is highly recommended to wear a face mask or covering to the testing site.

People who attend the event will also receive free 2020 Census merchandise and information from the city of Phoenix. The overlap of this pandemic and this particular decennial census is a reminder that federal funding—including dollars to respond to this current emergency—are decided based on population numbers that are sourced from census data.