Free community prescreenings to help communities of color identify COVID-19 symptoms and connect with medical care will take place in Rochester neighborhoods through June 6, 2020. See date and times below.

Data has shown that black residents of Monroe County are being disproportionately hit by the coronavirus, with hospitalization rates 4 times higher than for white residents. To address the increased risk, the new prescreenings are located in neighborhoods with large populations of Blacks and Latinos. Held outside of trusted venues, the prescreenings offer convenient access by foot, public transit or car. Sites are staffed by volunteers from the Black Physicians Network of Greater Rochester, the Rochester Black Nurses Association and other supporting organizations.

Prescreenings include a review of COVID symptoms and checks for temperature, blood oxygen level and blood pressure. The aim is to help African American and Latino residents connect to medical care and testing earlier, before complications from the virus progress. Community members with symptoms are encouraged to contact their primary care physician, or be referred to Jordan Health or Trillium Health if they do not have a provider.

Focused primarily on education and open to all residents, prescreenings will not provide testing for coronavirus, except for those screenings at the Jordan Health Center and the Jordan at Woodward Health Center.

To prevent the potential spread of the virus, all prescreening sites observe strict physical distancing protocols. Participants are required to keep a minimum of 6 feet from others and distancing ws reinforced through signs, cones, tape and other markers. Masks must be worn by all participants and will be provided for those who do not have them.

The prescreenings are sponsored by Black Physicians Network of Greater Rochester, Common Ground Health, Ibero American Action League, Jordan Health, Monroe County Medical Society, Rochester Black Nurses Association, City of Rochester, Rochester Regional Health and the University of Rochester.

Update 6/2/2020: Prescreenings are being postponed to ensure the safety of volunteers.

Times and locations may change based on the availability of personal protective equipment and volunteers. For up-to-date information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/CommunityFightsCOVID

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
https://www.facebook.com/CommunityFightsCOVID

Free COVID-19 prescreenings to help African American and Latino residents connect to medical care earlier