Press release from CommunityLab:
CommunityLab launched a new mobile COVID-19 testing site open to the public starting Jan. 13. The testing site is stationed in the parking area at 401 Depot St. in Asheville and will be open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday each week from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Testing performed will be gold-standard PCR testing for COVID-19 via nasopharyngeal swab collection and is available to anyone regardless of symptoms or known exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Results are available within 24-36 hours. Walk-ups are welcome and tested on a first-come, first-served basis. No appointment necessary.CommunityLab is committed to improving accessibility of COVID-19 testing to underserved communities in Western North Carolina. The testing site on Depot St. is located near several low- to middle-income housing communities, making testing more accessible to residents, as well as providing a centralized, convenient testing location in the River Arts District. The mobile site was established through a strategic collaboration with CommunityLab, Integrative Family Medicine of Asheville and Mountain Housing Opportunities. MHO was pleased to offer the use of its Depot St. parking lot for the mobile testing site. Integrative Family Medicine of Asheville played a supportive role in coordinating the mobile site and will be referring their own patients to be tested for COVID-19 there as well.“We are grateful to the leadership of Integrative Family Medicine of Asheville and CommunityLab for bringing this resource to the families in the Southside Neighborhood, the River Arts District and Asheville at large,” said James Dennis, Asset Manager at Mountain Housing Opportunities. “The CommunityLab site means that low-income families, who often work in essential jobs where it’s hard to socially distance, do not have to make a choice between their health and basic necessities such as food and housing.”Based on recent testing data, most people will qualify for testing with no out-of-pocket cost even if they are uninsured. To qualify for free/no patient responsibility testing, specific guidelines must be met based on screening completed at intake. CommunityLab handles all aspects of insurance billing and/or submitting to HRSA for uninsured patients to obtain payment for the test. CommunityLab has committed to allocate at least 10% of COVID-19 testing to serve uninsured in WNC.“This testing site will not only provide access to COVID testing for my patients and other providers in the area, but also will provide access to underserved populations in the Asheville area, allowing us to better contain and prevent further spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Brian Lewis at Integrative Family Medicine of Asheville. He also noted the mobile site is a good solution for anyone needing PCR COVID-19 testing with fast, reliable results for travel requirements.The mobile site will have tents equipped with heaters to allow for a comfortable, private testing experience, and signage will guide people safely through the registration and testing process. All testing staff will be wearing PPE, and anyone interested in testing must wear a mask.While CommunityLab offers walk-up COVID-19 testing for the public at the Depot St. mobile testing site, drive-through testing is available at its headquarters in Arden by appointment only. Additionally, CommunityLab aims to partner with local businesses, healthcare providers, healthcare organizations, public institutions, or private corporations of any size. Their team can customize services such as medical courier pick-up or Spanish translators to meet each organization’s unique needs. To learn more or set up a testing account with CommunityLab, please visit www.communitylabwnc.com or email connect@communitylabwnc.com.
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