Toyota, Alabama A&M and Huntsville Hospital to offer free coronavirus testing

Toyota, Alabama A&M and Huntsville Hospital partner to offer free coronavirus testing

Might become less severe.

Help is on the way for some of the people who need it most.

Today- alabama a&m, huntsville hospital and toyota announced they're partnering to offer free coronavirus testing to underserved communities in madison county.

The mobile clinic- can test up to 50 people each day.

Waay 31's sydney martin is live after learning more about the project.

The mobile unit was originally only going to be used for health screenings.

But a&m told me they feel helping identifying coronavirus patients is more urgent right now.

Dr. ernst cebert, alabama a&m faculty member, "this grant definitely, definitely came through at the right time for the right purpose."

Doctor ernst cebert told me he's been working with students since 20-18 to identify a need in the community.

He told me they quickly found that there's a need for access to healthcare in north huntsville - so they presented the idea of a mobile medical unit to toyota.

Ersnt told me the trailer just arrived two weeks ago - and still has some work to be done before it can be rolled out in the community.

But in the meantime - they've shifted its focus to coronavirus testing.

Dr. ernst cebert, alabama a&m faculty member, "we are in the right position, we are in the right stage right now to be able to go and help mitigate the process and address these issues.

As long as it's right here impacting the community.

" the huntsville hospital foundation explained to me having the opportunity for more testing in north huntsville is important.

John simms, huntsville hospital foundation"that community is one that's been hit hard by covid.

It's one that we are trying to reach with our mobile testing and it's important to have these units to go to where people are to meet people where they are."

The foundation said the mobile units are used a bit differently in the community for coronavirus testing to help ensure social distancing..

John simms, huntsville hospital foundation"we are using our mobile units for support vehicles for these covid testings to provide supplies, a little area for staff to get off their feet for a few minutes.

It's july.

It's hot out here.

We want to make sure staff are taking care of themselves so they can take care of patients."

And cebert told me he hopes the unit will also help student return to campus safely in the fall.

Dr. ernst cebert, alabama a&m faculty member, "it's the ease and concern of the parents and the kids and the students when they come back to know they are coming into a safe environment and then of course when that's implemented properly we feel we will have good enviroment for the students to return to."

The unit is expected to roll out early this fall- and will be staffed by huntsville hospital.

The hospital said it's hoping to train alabama a&m's staff to get them up and running to run the unit on their own in the future.

Live in huntsville sm