Anonymous donation gives 200 free Coronavirus tests to east valley residents

A total of 200 tests were donated to underserved communities in the East Valley. A testing site opened up Wednesday afternoon at 7th and Coahilla Streets in Mecca. They were available to residents from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The tests were available to many, including farm workers, who were worked under the blistering sun as temperatures reached up to 98° F on Wednesday.

"There's a lot of sun. In the winter it's really cold, we work in the rain. It doesn't matter what the weather is like-- we need to get the product out," farm worker Julian Ochoa said.

Farm workers have been deemed essential through the pandemic.

“This is a moment where we can all reflect on how important our farm workers are, not only for our communities here locally but for our entire nation.” Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz said.

The temporary testing site offered free tests, and did not require appointments. The Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine received an anonymous donation, making it possible for residents to get tested.

"I think it’s necessary for everyone," farm worker Luis Gutierrez said.

"I think it’s a good idea to make sure this community where we live is safe," farm worker Jose Flores said.

Hemet Valley Medical Center and student volunteers from various nursing programs and medical schools helped carry out the site.

Residents were screened and swabbed in the mouth.

"We have heard there are cases of COVID-19 in the farm worker community," Rosa Lucas, Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine founding member said.

Lucas is also a family nurse practitioner.

"The East Valley, is so ignored but it is a part of our community," Lucas said.

She and Dr. Ruiz have worked together for years. Both joined forces once again, to bring testing to a vulnerable population.

"The east valley and other communities that suffer poverty are more vulnerable because they have health disparities that render them higher rates of diabetes, higher rates of asthma, COPD. In addition to that, they have less health insurance, less access to doctors and less access to services so now you put a pandemic on top of that with needing to go to work, with conditions that may not be suitable for social distancing-- then you’re having a tinderbox for potential not only increase in rapid rates, but also increase in severe illnesses and death," Dr. Ruiz said.

Volunteers will return to conduct more testing on Friday at the same location from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. or until the 200 tests run out.