Novel Strategies to Increase COVID-19 Testing Among Underserved and Vulnerable Populations in West Virginia.

RACISM; HEALTH facilities; MOBILE hospitals; AT-risk people; COVID-19 testing; POLYMERASE chain reaction

This project addressed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing barriers in rural West Virginia by providing testing enhancements that included (1) a flexible testing staff, (2) mobile testing, (3) essential supplies, and (4) specialized testing in communities of color. A total of 142 775 polymerase chain reaction tests were performed from December 2021 through February 2022; positivity rates were 21% and 17% in clinics and mobile testing venues, respectively. The project results showed that, within a statewide network of health care clinics, administrators quickly identified and distributed enhancements and thus reduced testing barriers. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(S9):S892–S895. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.307004) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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