Rochester organization installs SARS-CoV-2 early-detection clinics in minority communities

Over the weekend, a Rochester non-profit organization, Common Ground Health, opened SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) early-detection clinics throughout Monroe County in Black and Brown communities. The screening sites are open to everyone, but they were specifically placed in these communities because of the disproportionate negative impact that the pandemic is having on minorities.

When screeners believe that they have found someone infected by the virus, they prompt the patient to immediately contact their doctor. If the patient doesn’t have a doctor, they prompt the patient to visit healthcare sites where billing is based on the patient’s ability to pay — a sliding scale fee system.

As Dr. Linda Clark, the Black Physicians Network of Greater Rochester’s president and a Common Ground Health senior adviser, explained: “When we look at New York state’s antibody data, higher proportions of Black populations and Brown — Latino — populations are exposed to COVID-19.”

She noted that many people of color refuse to go to a hospital when they become sick. The early-detection clinics can bring minority patients to hospitals at the onset of their symptoms so that they have a better chance of obtaining life-saving treatment before their symptoms become too extreme. Early detection and treatment improve survival and recovery rates.

Dr. Clark also emphasized that race has played a significant role in patient outcomes: “Everybody hates the word ‘racist,’ but it’s probably the best word to use to describe the situation… Racist policies, procedures, institutional ideas and constructs are why we are where we are today.”

Sources:
WXXI
Rochester City Newspaper