Wichita clinic offers free coronavirus testing starting Monday

A Wichita health clinic will provide free coronavirus testing to anyone who wants to get tested starting Monday.

HealthCore Clinic, a Wichita-based health clinic, is opening a mobile COVID-19 testing site at Wichita State University’s Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex, 5015 E. 29th St. North, near 29th Street and Oliver.

All tests will be free of charge while supplies last. HealthCore’s mobile testing site will be open to drive-through and walk-up visits 2-5 p.m., Monday-Thursday through May.

City Council member Brandon Johnson said the HealthCore testing site is a big win for northeast Wichita.

African American community leaders, including Johnson, held a rally outside the Sedgwick County Courthouse on Wednesday, calling for county commissioners and other local leaders to help provide better information and access to testing for Wichita’s minority populations.

“Access is key,” Johnson said. “When you look at the negative impacts of the coronavirus on African American community, it’s much worse just because of the various health disparities that we have.”

Testing has been a concern for Johnson and other African American leaders and for those who don’t have reliable transportation, enough money to afford a test or health insurance.

The Sedgwick County Health Department has been offering free testing at its west Wichita clinic near Central and McLean for weeks. But at its northeast clinic — in a historically black neighborhood with a high-concentration of low-income residents — the county has not offered testing beyond a few walk-in visits.

The HealthCore testing site could help close the gap in access for Wichita residents, Johnson said.

“HealthCore being in the heart of the black community offering that service — the testing is free, the visit is free — that’s key, especially for folks who don’t have healthcare to be able to get those tests,” Johnson said.

Unlike the county health department, HealthCore will offer testing to people who are asymptomatic through its partnership with Quest Diagnostics.

“There’s no requirement for you to be sick,” Johnson said. “If you feel like you have it or want to know if you have it, you can go in there and get swabbed and they let you know.”

For those without vehicles or not within walking distance, Wichita Public Transit Route 202 has a stop at the complex.

Teresa Lovelady, president and CEO of HealthCore, said the clinic is offering free testing to help the community out during the pandemic.

“We know the COVID-19 coronoavirus is disproportionately affecting our community,” she said in a news release.

The tests are available and free to anyone who wants one, she said. Results should be available after 2-3 days.

“If you test positive, we will ensure you get connected to the services you need,” Lovelady said in news release. “If you test negative, we will give you information and resources to help keep you safe.”

This story was originally published May 10, 2020 at 8:45 AM.