The African-American Community Empowerment Council (AACEC), Tabernacle Group, and Temple of Deliverance Ministries Intl. have joined forces to offer free COVID-19 testing in Palmdale and surrounding communities in the Antelope Valley.
Tests are available to anyone, regardless of whether they have symptoms or not. Results are reported within two to three days of taking the test. The drive-thru and walk-up testing site is in the parking lot of Temple of Deliverance Ministries Intl, 38448 20th Street East, in Palmdale.
No appointment is required, but registration is preferred at http://bit.ly/aacec-temple.
“This service will support our local efforts to expand the safe reopening of our local economy, create our new normal, and boost our mental health,” said Bishop Osas Otasowie of Temple of Deliverance Ministries Intl. “It is our hope that the testing program, combined with the health education and linkage to resources—thanks to the Children’s Center of Antelope Valley—will promote health, offer hope and help to stop the spread.”
The testing site is sponsored by the AACEC and Tabernacle Group. The testing is processed by Colors. Community ambassadors from Olive Support Services and Temple of Deliverance Ministries Intl. are staffing the drive-thru center. Materials and personnel are available in both English and Spanish.
“It is known that the African-American church is one of the trusted resources for information and spiritual guidance in the Black community,” Otasowie said. “Statistics show that African-Americans are most likely to die from COVID-19 because of not being tested and other health issues. It is with urgency that the AACEC and churches have come together to serve our Black communities most affected throughout the state.”
