ENGLEWOOD GETS COVID-19 TESTING FACILITY

Stephanie Coleman, 16th Ward Alderman, with Dr. Tariq Butt, physician at Access Community Health Network, and Donna Thompson, CEO of Access Community Health Network, in front of the Access COVID-19 Testing Facility in Englewood. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Coleman
Stephanie Coleman, 16th Ward Alderman, with Dr. Tariq Butt, physician at Access Community Health Network, and Donna Thompson, CEO of Access Community Health Network, in front of the Access COVID-19 Testing Facility in Englewood. Photo courtesy of Stephanie Coleman

Englewood gets COVID-19 testing facility

BY TIA CAROL JONES

Stephanie Coleman, 16th Ward Alderman, began lobbying for a COVID-19 testing site in her ward as reports showed that African Americans were being disproportionately affected and dying from the virus. Then, reports showed that the Latino population was also being disproportionately affected.

On Monday, May 4, the testing facility located at 5147 S. Ashland, opened in Englewood. The testing facility will serve residents who live in the Back of the Yards neighborhood as well as New City communities of Englewood. It is next to the Access Community Health Network site at 5153 S. Ashland.

Coleman said up until last week, no testing facility was available in Englewood nor accessible via public transportation, although there was a “dire need” to have a testing facility in the area. “There are locations in Waukegan and the south suburbs, but we didn’t have one right here on the south side to service our community,” she said.

Coleman said she worked with Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Governor J.B. Pritzker, as well as Access and community organizations to help bring the facility to the community. She credited Donna Thompson, chief executive officer of Access, for listening and meeting the needs of the community by building out the facility. She said the testing process takes 7-10 minutes, and within two-to four days, people can get their results.

She said she’s very impressed with the testing process and how easy and simple it is, especially with senior citizens because “they’re already shaken up by everything going on and afraid to even come out,” she added.

Coleman said what’s great about the Access testing process is that you don’t just get your test and get the results, there is a follow-up process that happens after the testing is done. She said, hopefully the site could serve as a model to other communities such as Auburn-Gresham and other communities on the south side.

According to Access Community Health Network, the tests are free for patients and if patients are insured, the insurance company will be billed. If the patient is uninsured, they will not be billed for the service.

Cristina Sotelino, spokesperson for Access Community Health Network, said Access is currently doing 500 tests per week at the site and will adjust the number, if needed.

The testing site is open from 8 a.m. to noon, Monday-Friday, for scheduled appointments. The facility is open to senior citizens from 8 to 9 a.m. every day.

Once a telehealth screening appointment is scheduled, Access will help schedule a testing appointment.

“We’ve served this community for more than 20 years and we wanted to provide a testing site in the community for the community. That’s why we first did community virtual town halls last week with key community partners to make sure area residents knew about the testing site first and could get first access to the facility,” Sotelino said. “We had unused space next to our health center, and we custom-built a testing site to provide both patients and staff with the safest environment possible,” she added.

To schedule a telehealth appointment, please call 800-836-7633.

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