BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Urban Family Practice has partnered with United Healthcare to create a mobile COVID-19 testing unit to bring testing to areas with vulnerable populations.
“The problem we have is certain zip codes with populations that have no testing. If we don't sample those, we're not going to get a full, nice picture of all of Western New York,” said Dr. Raul Vazquez, the CEO of Urban Family Practice.
The mobile unit will rollup to churches on the East and West sides of Buffalo. Church leaders will let the community know it's there.
“There's a lot more trust with churches, especially in the black and brown community, so they can guide them, like listen there's this testing that's going to be here,” Dr. Vazquez said.
They can test people who otherwise wouldn't have access to testing by making it mobile.
They can test people who otherwise wouldn't have access to testing by making it mobile.
The mobile testing unit will pop up throughout areas of the 14215 zip code and the West side, where Dr. Vazquez said there is a lack of testing in addition to a lack of ease.
“The 14215 is about 19,000 to 20,000 lives. That's why it's really important to go there. Then you have other zip codes that only have 5,000 or 6,000… Still important but your sampling could be different,” Dr. Vazquez said, “You have to have a bigger sample size and then see what your percentages of positives are.”
The testing is also free. Dr. Vazquez said eventually the mobile testing unit will distribute goodie bags with masks, thermometers, even food if there’s a need.
