About seventy-five St. Francis College students and employees – along with members of the Brooklyn Heights community – received rapid COVID-19 tests yesterday, thanks to a collaboration between the College and Brooklyn Health Medical Alliance (BHMA), a full-service urgent care facility, managed by ModernMD, in downtown Brooklyn.

Health professionals from BHMA administered nasal-swab tests in an outdoor tent set up on the sidewalk in front of campus. The event was open to anyone who dropped in, and a steady stream lined up for the full four hours that the testing took place. Participants incurred no out-of-pocket costs to receive the rapid COVID-19 Antigen tests, which provide results nearly instantaneously.

"This is an amazing partnership between BHMA and St. Francis College," said Lenny Singletary, a ModernMD Board Member. "We've seen this pandemic cause a great strain on our Brooklyn community...St. Francis is a leader and a pillar in the community for not only education but making sure that young students are responsible."

St. Francis College requires COVID testing for students living in its residence hall, and for those on its athletic teams or from countries other than the United States. The College strongly encourages all other members of its community

to be tested as well. As required, St. Francis College submits to New York State authorities daily COVID test results it collects from students, faculty and staff who have been on its campus or in its residence hall. That data is publicly available.

So far this fall, SFC has reported no positive cases.

"St. Francis College takes seriously our role as stewards of the health and well-being not only of our own students and employees, but the broader Brooklyn community of which we're so honored to be part," said Linda Werbel, SFC Vice President for Government and Community Relations. "We're grateful that BHMA shares our commitment to serve, and to find opportunities to assist in any way we can."

This is the second COVID testing event - dubbed Terrier Testing Days – hosted by St. Francis College at its campus. The first was on August 25th in collaboration with Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE). Additional testing days will be scheduled this academic year.

Pictured top to bottom: Line for Terrier Testing Day; Linda Werbel and Lenny Singletary