LOS ANGELES (CNS) — Peace Chapel Church in South Los Angeles, in partnership with a medical lab firm, will host a pair of community health fairs starting Sunday, and will open a COVID-19 testing and vaccine site in early September to target a community with the highest infection rate and lowest pace of vaccinations.
The church and Worksite Labs will host the health fairs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday and Sept. 5 adjacent to the church, 7626 Avalon Blvd.
Peace Chapel Church donated PCR testing, and on-site medical staff will process test results in 90 minutes, while multilingual nurses will offer education and support to the community. Residents will also be able to receive free blood pressure screens; respiratory/pulse ox screenings; diabetes, nutrition and skin care education; hand hygiene education; mental health awareness education; and observe a CPR demonstration and training.
"Minority residents of lower socioeconomic status tend to have trouble finding transportation, childcare or time off to get testing or can't find a provider who speaks their own language," Worksite Labs CEO Gary Frazier said in a statement. "Our country's most vulnerable populations deserve the highest-quality care and protection from COVID-19.
"By partnering with church leaders, we're able to reach community members who might otherwise not have access to good health care services," said Frazier.
Following the health fairs, a daily testing/vaccine facility will open at the site beginning Sept. 7, operating from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Worksite Labs converts unused shipping containers to act as portable COVID-19 testing facilities across the United States. The South LA campus is the second community site to open this summer, with the original opening in Brooklyn last month.