Free COVID-19 Testing Available Thursday at the Mount Chesapeake

CHESAPEAKE, Va.— The Urban League of Hampton Roads, The Virginia Office Of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Chesapeake Regional Healthcare, Chesapeake Health Department, community leaders, and The Mount Chesapeake are working together to provide free COVID-19 testing to at-risk members of the community during an upcoming event on Thursday. After successfully testing in the MacDonald Manor neighborhood in May and the Geneva Square community earlier in June, the next community testing event will occur at The Mount Chesapeake on Thursday, June 18, from 10 am to 2 p.m. 

The event will provide nasal-swab tests for up to 400 participants. Those who are symptom-free are encouraged to test and need not be parishioners of The Mount Chesapeake. Results will be delivered confidentially in approximately 48 hours.              

Testing will take place at 215 Las Gaviotas Boulevard, located just off Cedar Road in Chesapeake. Participants will receive food boxes, hand sanitizer, face masks, and other items through partnerships with the Southeastern Virginia Food Bank, Chesapeake Office of Emergency Management, the Governor’s office and other organizations. Tests and supplies will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Participants are encouraged to be patient and practice social distancing.      

Reese Jackson, President & CEO of Chesapeake Regional Healthcare commenting on the testing events says, “To combat COVID-19 and encourage prevention, our efforts to educate the public include self-awareness and concern for others. They are of utmost importance and one of the primary reasons we are testing within the community.” He added, “This event would not be possible without a shared interest from the Chesapeake Department of Health and support from the Commonwealth.”

Janice Underwood, Ph.D., Chief Diversity Officer for the Commonwealth of Virginia and the COVID-19 Equity Task Force arranged a donation of masks and hand sanitizer for those in the City of Chesapeake who are at elevated risk of death from COVID-19. Bags with masks, hand sanitizer and other items will be provided for all who attend the testing event on Thursday. Of the state’s involvement, Dr. Underwood says, “As we address the structural inequities that have caused the disparate impact of COVID-19 on black, brown, and native communities, I am pleased to see the collaborative way Chesapeake is working to take care of those that have been historically under-represented. We encourage inclusive efforts like these to help accomplish the much-needed changes we need in our nation and Commonwealth.”

Mary Bibbs, Chief Operating Officer for Urban League of Hampton Roads offers, “We are excited about our partnership with Chesapeake Regional Healthcare because it provides testing and PPE for people who are underserved. Empowering communities and changing lives is the Urban League’s mission, and I am pleased to empower our at-risk communities in Chesapeake.”
Dr. Nancy Welch, Director of the Chesapeake Health Department says, “All entities have a shared imperative interest to test and educate our minority populations due to their higher risk of severe disease. We want our community to be safe and well.”

Bringing COVID-19 testing to at-risk and underserved neighborhoods throughout the City of Chesapeake is a priority for all involved. More testing events will follow.

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Media inquiries should be directed to:

• CHESAPEAKE REGIONAL HEALTHCARE – Tricia Hardy, Media Relations Specialist, (757) 312-6873, tricia.hardy@chesapeakeregional.com
• THE OFFICE OF RALPH S. NORTHMAM - Alena Yarmosky, Press Secretary. alena.yarmosky@governor.virginia.gov 
• URBAN LEAGUE OF HAMPTON ROADS – Mary Bibbs, Operations Consultant, (336) 269-9943 mbibbs@ulhr.org 
• CHESAPEAKE HEALTH DEPARTMENT – Kimi Stevens, Public Relations & Social Marketing, (757) 382-8650, kimi.stevens@vdh.virginia.gov 

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