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Georgia church passes 7,000 in COVID testing, extends service through August

[1]

DECATUR, Ga. (BP) — Free testing for SARSCoV2 at Greenforest Community Baptist Church has been extended through August, Senior Pastor Emory D. Berry Jr., announced Aug. 6 [2].

A volunteer prepares groceries to be distributed. Submitted photo

Greenforest, which began offering the testing shortly after the COVID-19 shutdown began, recently passed the 7,000 mark in the number of tests given. The church also maintains an extensive food distribution ministry, which has grown during recent months, serving more than 6,000 people during the pandemic so far.
Berry thanked community partners such as the DeKalb County Health Department and DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond.
Rosalind Hill, health promotion prevention coordinator for the DeKalb County Board of Health, expressed her appreciation to the church.
“We are just excited to partner along with Greenforest Community to help us flatten the curve. The whole purpose of getting tested is to protect yourself and your community,” she said.
Dr. S. Elizabeth Ford, district health director for DeKalb County and CEO of the DeKalb County Board of Health, also thanked Greenforest [3] when the number of COVID-19 tests administered at the church exceeded 5,000. She said the church’s support “has truly helped us save lives in this community.”

“I cannot thank you enough for your support, which has truly helped us save lives in this community,” she said.
Testing at the church takes place every day except Sunday.

“Know your status, and let’s do our part to help flatten the curve,” Berry said.