News Courtesy of DeAlba Communications Posted by Wright Enterprises Community Spotlight~~
For Immediate Release
The Unity Council, UCSF, La Clínica and La Familia leading efforts for free COVID-19 "Test and Respond" campaign
— Sanando Juntos: Fruitvale
Fruitvale District residents can receive free COVID-19 testing on Sept. 12 and 13.
OAKLAND, CA -As Oakland's Fruitvale District continues to be disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, The Unity Council and UCSF are partnering with several community groups to hold a "Test and Respond" campaign — Sanando Juntos: Fruitvale (Healing Together: Fruitvale).
Two days of free mass testing will be held on Sept. 12 and 13 for families living in the 94601 - zip code. The testing will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in La Clínica de La Raza parking lot, 35th Avenue and E. 12th Street. Testing will be administered by UCSF. People are encouraged to register, here. However, no one will be turned away if they are not registered.
Nose swab testing for current infection will be available for infants, children and adults of all ages. Persons do not have to present with symptoms to be tested. Drive-thru testing will be available. Persons who are in high-risk or vulnerable groups are strongly encouraged to use the drive-thru testing. Antibody testing for past infection will also be available. Testing is not considered a public charge and won't affect immigration status.
As of Aug. 27, 17,406 cases had been reported in Alameda County, with Oakland accounting for nearly 40 percent of the county's positive cases. The majority of those cases are in the 94601 - zip code — the Fruitvale District.
UCSF is partnering with the Resilient Fruitvale Task Force, a coalition of organizations led by The Unity Council that includes La Clínica, Street Level Health Clinic; Native American Health Center; OUSD; Alameda County Public Health Department (ACPHD); La Familia; Oakland Public Library, and others, to provide testing.
Nose swab testing results will be available within four days of the event, and antibody test results will be available within 2 weeks. Organizers will reach out to individuals who test positive and guide them to the appropriate support and health services. In addition, health workers will stay in contact with individuals who tested positive to make sure they have the support they need — food, financial resources and housing help.
The Fruitvale event will also help public health officials gather data that can help reduce the spread of infections among the Latino community, leading to more resources and help for the area's residents. In addition, there will be opportunities to participate in COVID-19-related research for those interested.
"This event will help identify those individuals who are COVID-19 positive but do not know it. We will then be able to direct them to the appropriate care and supportive services," said Chris Iglesias, CEO of The Unity Council. "It will also help us guide the public health response."
"UCSF is delighted to partner with Unity Council, La Clínica, and the Resilient Fruitvale Task Force to undertake this testing effort. Data collected will inform advocates, public health officials, and clinicians involved in the care of the Fruitvale community. We will make every effort to disseminate the data broadly so all can benefit," said Alicia Fernández, MD, Professor of Medicine and Director of the UCSF Latinx Center of Excellence.
"This campaign will allow us to better reach and serve communities who face a disproportionate impact from COVID-19. Through our collaboration with our local partners, we will better understand the extent of the virus and reduce its propagation by providing community members the relevant information and resources they need to keep themselves and their families safe," said Jane García, CEO, La Clínica de La Raza.
"We are proud to be part of Sanando Juntos: Fruitvale. At La Familia, we want to design testing spaces where people feel safe and welcome, stand by and support families when someone tests positive, and co-create a movement that doesn't tolerate the way the virus is disproportionately weighing on the Latinx community. Now is the time we all have to step up," said Aaron Ortiz, CEO, La Familia.
"The COVID-19 virus is severely impacting Oakland and zip code 94601, in particular. It is important for our community to get tested, wear a mask and practice social distancing. We are all in this together, and together, we must work to protect our children and families," said District 5 Councilmember Noel Gallo.
Organizers will enforce all public health measures including masks and social distancing. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the event area.
ABOUT SANANDO JUNTOS: FRUITVALE, please visit: https://unitedinhealthoakland.org/
ABOUT THE UNITY COUNCIL, please visit: https://unitycouncil.org/who-we-are/about-us/
ABOUT UCSF, please visit: https://www.ucsf.edu/about
ABOUT LA CLINICA, please visit: https://laclinica.org/about/
ABOUT LA FAMILIA, please visit: https://www.lafamiliacounseling.org/about-us
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Media Contacts:
Jackie Wright, 415 525 0410,
jackiewright@wrightnow.biz
Wright Enterprises in Association
with Victoria Sanchez De Alba
De Alba Communications (for The Unity Council)
(650) 270-7810 / victoria@dealba.net