Mount Nebo Baptist Church and House of Hope Atlanta will become COVID-19 temporary testing sites this week.
The Rev. Aaron Jones III, senior pastor of Mount Nebo Baptist Church and Life Center, said the church will offer free testing for the novel coronavirus in conjunction with the Fulton County Board of Health Department.
Appointments are advised, but unscheduled drive-ups and walk-ups are available.
“We know about the health disparities that exist in our community and the need for widespread testing,” he said.
The testing hours will be from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. Jones said people should know their status within two to three days.
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The 120-year-old church is at 1025 McDonough Blvd. in the Thomasville Heights neighborhood in East Atlanta.
He said health guidelines such as social distancing will be followed.
“No one will be turned away,” he said. “Just come right up and take the test.”
According to a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey, more than 80 percent of Georgia coronavirus hospitalizations in March were among African Americans.
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In addition to Mt. Nebo, House of Hope Atlanta and the DeKalb County Board of Health will provide free testing from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday at 4650 Flat Shoals Parkway.
To pre-register call 404-294-3700.
No insurance is needed, according to a flyer about the testing event.
“Since the governor has lifted the sheltering in place restrictions, people in our community are getting out more and going places,” said Jones of Mt. Nebo.
He also emphasized that a person can test negative one day and contract the virus the next.
Jones encouraged people to get tested more than once and to follow the guidance of the medical community by practicing social distancing, staying indoors as much as possible, washing hands frequently and wearing a mask when going outside.
The church is holding virtual services and will continue to do so for the immediate future.
So far, about four church members have had the virus. “The virus has definitely hit home for us. We’re trying to follow the data,” he said.
