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COVID-19 testing in Avondale tries to bridge minority health gap

COVID-19 drive-thru testing.jpg
Posted at 5:14 PM, Jul 14, 2020
and last updated 2020-07-14 19:55:42-04

CINCINNATI — As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in the Tri-State, it’s a special concern for the Black community.

A pop-up testing site at Zion Baptist Church in Avondale Tuesday hoped to bridge the health gap for minorities.

“We realize the great health disparity that exists in the African American community,” pastor James H. Cantrell said.

Avondale, a majority Black neighborhood in Cincinnati, has reported 136 cases. Cantrell said his church has always tried to bridge the gap in minority health and that’s probably why it was picked as a testing site.

“Many of our persons are hindered with health issues because they have not the insurance and they have not the funds,” Cantrell said.

African Americans have more cases than any other group in the county, according to Hamilton County Public Health.

Zion Baptist Church has always tried to bridge the gap in minority health and Cantrell believes that’s why his church was chosen as a testing site.

“Many of our persons are hindered with health issues because they have not the insurance and they have not the funds,” Cantrell said.

“Normally we don’t have the health care we need as it is,” said Shawna Harris, who took the drive-thru test. “Offering this is a good thing, especially for those that don’t have insurance.”

“We know the importance of COVID testing,” said Cantrell. “The more tests, the greater process we have of eliminating this virus.”

There was some confusion about the site Tuesday morning when an error on the Ohio Department of Health’s website caused some people to go to the wrong location.

“I walked up to the first site. I didn’t realize that they changed location,” said Toni Kiraly, who lives nearby. “It’s about a half a mile from the other site so I walked over here and got tested.”

The next pop-up testing will happen Wednesday at South Avondale School from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.