The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is proud to celebrate the success of its COVID-19 Mobile Testing Unit, which concluded its operations in June. During a time when COVID-19 cases were on the rise, the Mobile Testing Unit played a crucial role in providing testing and guidance to communities in Philadelphia that faced barriers to accessing care.
Operating through various weather conditions, the Mobile Testing Unit continued to offer free COVID-19 testing to all Philadelphia residents even after the public health emergency ended in May 2023. During its operation, the unit served over 24,000 patients, visited 59 neighborhoods, administered thousands of tests, distributed home test kits, and participated in health fairs and community events.
The success of the Mobile Testing Unit was greatly attributed to partnerships established with community and faith-based organizations across the city. A needs assessment conducted in 2022, along with ongoing COVID-19 surveillance data, helped determine the neighborhoods where the testing trucks would be deployed. The unit acknowledges the contributions of key staff members including Program Manager Vernell Brown and Program Assistant Cielo Butler who worked tirelessly to ensure that testing services were accessible and efficient for all residents. Additionally, Supervisor Rabiah Asif oversaw daily operations while Coordinator Mekeida Thomas managed logistics and scheduling.