Greater Harrisburg's Community Magazine

Mobile COVID testing unit to stop this week in Harrisburg

The CATE mobile COVID-19 testing unit.

When George Fernandez was young, his family had trouble getting access to healthcare.

Now, during the pandemic, he wants to make sure this isn’t the case for other families like his. Therefore, his organization, Latino Connection, created the Community-Accessible Testing & Education (CATE) mobile COVID-19 testing unit. On Wednesday, the unit is coming to Allison Hill in partnership with Harrisburg’s Latino Hispanic American Community Center (LHACC).

“For us, it’s about creating access,” said Fernandez, founder of the marketing agency focused on the rapidly growing Latino community in Pennsylvania. “We are really happy Latino Connection came up with this idea.”

CATE was the first mobile unit in the state aimed at providing testing at no cost to underserved communities.

The unit is on a 32-stop tour around the state and is about halfway through. On Wednesday, they will park at 1421 Derry St. in Allison Hill.

Nurses from Penn State Health’s Community Health team are doing the nasal swabbing for the two Harrisburg stops, which started last week at the Harrisburg Housing Authority.

Community members who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to someone with the virus can come for free testing.

“We know there are so many barriers for people to access health care,” Penn State Health’s Community Health Director Ashley Visco said. “This is a way to remove those barriers.”

Once results come back, nurses call those who tested negative and a health care provider will call anyone who tested positive for the virus. They will discuss quarantining and any other assistance they may need, Visco said.

Community members who come to the event will also receive educational packets and reusable face masks.

Fernandez explained that, once he heard how the virus is disproportionately affecting people of color, he wanted to do something. He said the community he serves already had a lot weighing on them, such as food insecurity, the upcoming election and other health disparities.

Latino Connection had mobile units already. So, Fernandez knew this method of testing would be best for reaching those who lack adequate access to healthcare.

“We are meeting them in their neighborhood where they are most comfortable,” Fernandez said.

Last week’s event at the housing authority drew around 60 people, but Visco expects even more people this upcoming Wednesday.

“I am very excited about this location,” she said. “I know Gloria Merrick, the director of LHACC, has a really strong connection in her community.”

Latino Connection partnered with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and Highmark for the CATE initiative.

Fernandez said that the tour will not be ending in September, as he plans to reach more parts of the state in October and November.

Latino Connection, along with Gateway Health, will launch another mobile unit on Sept. 23 in western PA, Fernandez said. This one will focus on addressing social determinants of health and providing care to seniors.

Although already very busy, Fernandez is grateful to be part of initiatives seeking to reach the underserved.

“It’s truly life changing to be part of this,” he said. “Can you imagine the feeling that we are possibly saving lives?”

The CATE Mobile Testing Unit will be at 1421 Derry St., Harrisburg, on Sept. 23. For more information, visit CATE’s website or Latino Connection’s.

UPDATED on 9/22/20 to reflect change of location.

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