(Buffalo, NY) – Erie County Legislator April N. M. Baskin, in conjunction with the Erie County Department of Health, Kaleida Health and the African American Health Disparities Task Force, today announced that Eastside residents without symptoms who want to be tested for COVID-19 will be able to get an appointment at the Leroy Coles Library testing location.

“East Side voices have been heard” said Erie County Legislature Chair April N. M. Baskin. “There is still much work to do in fighting the COVID-19 crisis in our community, and we have only begun to address the systemic health care imbalances in low income and minority communities, but this is a victory. I want to stress that appointments are still required. But same-day appointments may be available. There is no charge for the test.”        

The Leroy Coles testing location was opened two weeks ago in order to serve residents of communities in the zip codes 14208, 14211, 14215, which have been significantly impacted by the pandemic. Early diagnosis is essential to improving outcomes for those with COVID-19, especially those with conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and lung disease.

“I want to thank County Executive Mark Poloncarz, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, the leadership of Kaleida Health, and the members of the African American Health Disparities Force. We have worked together to establish the testing location and to ensure that it meets the needs of the community it is designed to serve.”

The Leroy Coles branch of the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library System is located at 1187 E. Delavan Avenue.  Appointments are required in order to avoid high volumes of persons spreading the virus. Those interested in scheduling a test can do so with Kaleida via their website at www.kaleidahealth.org/coronavirus/#testing or by calling 859-3222.  

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