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Atrium Health expands access to COVID-19 testing in minority communities

Community members in the identified underserved areas will not need an appointment or a physician referral.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — 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 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.  

“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.”

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To remove barriers that may exist for easy access to 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.

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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).  

For the latest information on Atrium Health’s response to COVID-19, visit www.AtriumHealth.org/Coronavirus.

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