Huntsville Hospital conducting outreach testing

The CEO of Huntsville Hospital says they've been doing coronavirus testing outreach in some churches in North Alabama as well as some homeless shelters

Testing at shelters.

The ceo of huntsville hospital says they've been doing coronavirus testing outreach in some churches in north huntsville as well as some homeless shelters.

Just this week they went to the northwoods community and dr. richard showers center for additional testing.

Waay 31's will robinson-smith is live there tonight... he spoke with church and state leaders about how this testing came about and why it was so important.

David spillers says the hospital is still waiting on some of the results to come back for those tested here at the richard showers center.

Folks i spoke with say it was a great opportunity for them to be able to test outside of the normal areas.

The sanctuary of fellowship of faith baptist church rang with gospel music wednesday night.

A handful of people dotted the seats while others watched the bible study online but a few weeks ago, this church was offering another kind of service.

Troy gardner, pastor, fellowship of faith baptist church once we made the announcement that we were having tests, the phones just readily started ringing and we filled up real quick.

Near the end of last month, huntsville hospital selected this and four other churches as sites for testing hundreds of people.

Pastor troy gardner says having local testing helps people know there is a lot more work to do before things get back to normal.

Troy gardner, pastor, fellowship of faith baptist church you have to tell people to be prayerful and careful.

Yes, you want the economy to be started again, but you also want to save lives.

And i think saving lives is more important than saving the economy at this time.

Alabama house minority leader anthony daniels says he and others helped coordinate the north huntsville effort.

He says being able to test at risk communities is key to moving closer to reopening the economy.

Rep.

Anthony daniels, alabama house minority leader individuals that are having no symptoms are really more of a priority in getting those test results so that they are not adding to the community spread of the virus.

Blue spring road church of christ also was a testing center.

Pastor floyd rodger was among the 70 who were tested floyd rodgers, pastor, blue spring road church of christ there were people that actually rode by, they saw that they were here, they turned around and came back around to get tested.

So yes, it's very important just for them to come into the community, the different communities and offer this service.

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