WASHINGTON, D.C. (Friday, May 15, 2020) – Coronavirus testing is being ramped up in the District’s Wards 7 and 8. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser joined Howard University President Dr. Wayne A.I. Frederick today in making the announcement of expanding testing days at the new Benning Road COVID-19 Clinic, which is operated by Howard University Faculty Practice Plan.
Residents can now get tested at the clinic , with an appointment, four days a week instead of two. “The Howard University Faculty Practice Plans testing site has been met with overwhelming response from the D.C. communities of Ward 7 and Ward 8,” said Dr. Frederick. “That lets us know that we are in the right place and the expansion to four days a week will allow us to see patients sooner so they can know their status faster.”
As a show of community support, journalist Armstrong Williams, founder and sole owner of Howard Stirk Holdings Broadcast, and Capital Medical Supply, Inc., donated 30,000 masks to be used at the clinic for staff and patient safety.
We’d like to thank Mayor Bowser for her guidance to get our city through this pandemic, and special thanks to Mr. Armstrong Williams and Capital Medical Supply for this generous mask donation which will go a long to ensure the protection of our patients and staff,” added President Frederick.
“Howard University is an essential partner in our effort to build a more equitable health care system, and we are grateful that this testing site is delivering critical care and resources to our most vulnerable communities,” said Mayor Bowser. “We also appreciate the continued generosity of those like Armstrong Williams, and contributions like these go a long way toward supporting our front line workers.”
The Howard University Faculty Practice Plan began offering free coronavirus testing at its Benning Road Clinic (4414 Benning Road NE) on May 5 thanks to a $1 million grant from Bank of America. The grant will be used to improve access to COVID-19 testing in the diverse Washington, D.C. communities located east of the river. Beginning next week, testing will be available Tuesdays through Fridays, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. D.C. Residents of Ward 7 and 8 may make an appointment by calling 202-865-2119, option 3. The team of physicians will see patients who are showing symptoms or who believe they are asymptomatic. Please bring your photo I.D. with you.
