Four Corners health officials offer pop-up testing for homeless

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Health officials in the Four Corners are trying to make it easier for people experiencing homelessness to receive a COVID test.

"So we’ve been providing targeted testing or pop-up testing since May of 2020 in different forms. They’ve been made more regular at the Purple Cliffs encampment and some other locations,” said Brian Devine, environmental health director at San Juan Basin Public Health.

The San Juan Basin Public Health is focusing on providing testing to those who don’t have secure housing. This week, hundreds of people were able to get tested with the help of pop-up test sites.

"It’s really important to make sure that everybody has fair and equal access to testing,” Devine said. “You can certainly see that certain populations are never able to get tested, then the virus can spread through the population and make its way out into the community.”

Pandemic essentials like hand sanitizer and masks are also given to these individuals.

Public health officials said they’re also developing a plan to give out the vaccine to these people when it becomes available.

"We are working with our partners to make sure that everyone who wants to get notified and make a vaccine appointment who’s eligible can do so regardless of where they live and how they live,” Devine said.

Pop-up sites will continue for those who need it.