Mayor Warren Announces Start of No-Cost COVID-19 Tests, Flu Shots at Select Rochester Churches

City of Rochester

News Release

Mayor Warren Announces Start of No-Cost COVID-19 Tests, Flu Shots at Select Rochester Churches

(Monday, Oct. 5, 2020) –
Mayor Lovely A. Warren and the faith community in partnership with Monroe County and the Race Equity and Leadership (REAL) Rapid Response Team kicked off the no-cost COVID-19 testing and flu shots initiative at Aenon Baptist Church today. Community members are able to receive testing and immunizations through Saturday, Oct. 17 at select churches.

“I am truly grateful to Rochester’s pastors and their churches for stepping up to help make COVID testing and flu shots freely available for our Black and Brown communities, who are adversely affected by the coronavirus,” said Mayor Warren. “Churches are safe spaces for many people in our community. No one is immune to this virus and this testing initiative is critically important, especially now that our children are back in school and we’re entering flu season. I am appreciative of our partnerships with the faith community, N.Y. State, Monroe County, as well as our health systems and community groups for helping to keep our community healthy.”

“The theologian, Dr. James Cone, said in his book God of the Oppressed, ‘There is no knowledge of Yahweh except through God’s political activity on behalf of the weak and helpless of the land,’” said Rev. Derill Blue, pastor of Memorial AME Zion. “Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church has historically been at the forefront of spiritual, political, economic, and social matters in Rochester. Our mission calls us to stand in the gap to advocate and provide for the community. For this reason, it was essential to partner with other pastors to urge the State of New York to offer these services to underserved Black and Latino communities.”

“It's at times like this that we need to come together and be unified in our efforts. We are humbled to be able to be part of this event to provide the community of this city with additional testing sites for COVID-19 and be able to offer the flu vaccine to all that need it,” said Apostle Jose Diaz, of House of Prayer and Restoration. “It's through partnerships like this that we can start removing barriers of inequality in the community and tearing down stereotypes or misconceptions of one another. No matter your race, ethnicity or religious affiliation, we all have the same basic needs, and those needs have to be met. It has always been our vision that the church is helping in the community…in all areas of need.”

Testing and flu shots will be provided at no cost to participants who do not have health insurance. Individuals with health insurance are asked to bring their cards for submitting the claims, which are covered at no additional cost or co-pay, even for those with deductibles. Wegmans and the Monroe County Department of Public Health are covering the cost of flu shots for those without health insurance; Rochester Regional Health and the University of Rochester Medical Center are covering the cost of staffing to collect samples; and the New York State Department of Health is providing and covering the cost of tests and supplies for COVID-19 testing as well as processing the tests.

Clinicians will provide a general health screening, including temperature, blood pressure and education about coronavirus symptoms. Participants are not required to have symptoms to be tested. Staff will notify individuals of their test results and connect them with a health care provider if they do not already have one.

Community members will also receive resources on legal assistance, housing and other services and will be encouraged to sign up for the ROC COVID symptom tracker (roccovid.org).

Masks and social distancing are required at all sites and participants will be provided a mask if needed.

The COVID-19 and flu initiative is sponsored by the City of Rochester, NYS Department of Health, County of Monroe and Rapid Response Team members, which include the Black Physicians Network of Greater Rochester, Rochester Black Nurses Association, Common Ground Health, Finger Lakes Performing Provider System, Jordan Health, Ibero American Action League, Rochester Regional Health, Regional Health Reach, University of Rochester and Wegmans.

Testing and flu shots are offered from noon to 7 p.m. at the following locations:

Monday through Wednesday, Oct. 5, 6, 7
Aenon Baptist Church, 175 Genesee St., Rochester, NY 14611

Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 8, 9, 10
Greater Harvest Church, 121 Driving Park Ave., Rochester, NY 14613

Monday through Wednesday, Oct. 12, 13, 14
Memorial AME Zion Church, 549 Clarissa St., Rochester, NY 14608

Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 15, 16, 17
House of Prayer and Restoration, 545 Hudson Ave, Rochester, NY 14605

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News Media: For more information, contact jessica.Alaimo@cityofrochester.gov.