May 14, 2020
Location at 3297 Bailey Avenue to offer viral screening tests beginning May 20
BUFFALO, NY—Today, healthcare organization Evergreen Health and its affiliate, Community Access Services (CAS), announced its 3297 Bailey Avenue facility will serve as a drive-through testing site for COVID-19 viral screenings. The drive-through testing site will officially open on Wednesday, May 20. Tests will be conducted outdoors, by appointment, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Appointments can be made beginning Friday, May 15.
“Months into the unexpected challenge of a global pandemic, many of us are thinking about how we can help, by finding ways to use our businesses, our facilities, our people and our services — to help dissipate COVID-19,” said Raymond Ganoe, President & CEO of Evergreen Health. “Right now, as we think about phasing back into ‘normal’ life, the need for testing and places to conduct testing has never been more important. This is what the community needs from us and it’s one of the ways that Evergreen can continue to help.”
Evergreen’s drive-through testing site is a resource geared towards the 14215 zip code and open to all, including non-Evergreen and CAS patients. The cost of the test is covered by healthcare plans, including Medicaid and Medicaid Managed Care plans, with no out-of-pocket costs or co-pays. Tests will be conducted for individuals sixteen years and order and by appointment only, and while prescriptions and doctors’ referrals are not required, patients will need proof of health insurance in order to schedule an appointment. Individuals interested in scheduling a test may call Evergreen at (716) 847-2441 and select option 7.
COVID-19 testing will be conducted outdoors through the use of a drive-through system, allowing Evergreen staff to follow necessary safety protocols to keep screeners and those being tested safe throughout the testing process. Arrival by vehicle is strongly encouraged and some walk-up testing will also be accommodated. Participants will not need to leave their cars while being tested, and tests will be completed over the course of a few minutes via a nasal swab, with test results received within 2-3 days. Masks are required.
“African-Americans on Buffalo’s East Side are being disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus. The only way we can curb the virus’ spread is by practicing social distancing guidelines and aggressive testing,” said Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes. “Now, thanks to Evergreen Health and Community Access Services and Millennium Collaborative Care, testing is available. Please stay healthy, stay safe and stay blessed. Get tested.”
“I am in full support of opening this COVID-19 testing site and making sure that the residents of the University District and the surrounding community get tested. Thank you, Evergreen.” said Rasheed N.C. Wyatt, Council Member for the University District.
Evergreen’s testing site is made possible with support from Millennium Collaborative Care and lab processing by Quest. Opening a COVID-19 testing site is another way Evergreen has continued to provide vital services throughout the pandemic. Evergreen’s 206 S. Elmwood Avenue location in Buffalo and 320 Prather Avenue in Jamestown have remained open for primary and specialty care, pharmacy, STI services, syringe exchange, drug user health and behavioral health programs. In addition to COVID-19 viral screening tests, Evergreen Health provides full-service pharmacy and targeted programs for chronic illness support, HIV treatment and care, HIV prevention, LGBTQ health and transgender health care, sexual health, drug user health and Hepatitis C.
“We know that underserved populations, including communities of color, have been especially impacted by this unprecedented crisis. Beyond just making tests available, it’s making tests accessible where we can truly make a difference,” said Ekua Mends-Aidoo, Equity & Inclusion Officer at Evergreen Health. “While we’ve been able to continue to provide critical services to our patients throughout this global pandemic, we’ll now be able to medically serve more than just the people who already know about Evergreen and CAS, and for a zip code and its surrounding community that need us the most.”
For the most updated information about the Bailey Ave. testing site, services, locations, hours, procedures and Coronavirus, please visit Evergreen Health’s COVID-19 webpage.
Evergreen Health fosters healthy communities by providing medical, supportive and behavioral services to individuals and families in Western New York – especially those who are living with chronic illness or who are underserved by the healthcare system.
Community Access Services (CAS) is committed to addressing the epidemic of HIV and other diseases that challenge the welfare of urban communities in Buffalo and Erie County by assuring the availability of comprehensive care services, including prevention education and treatment.