Non-profit to test vulnerable communities throughout Greater Seattle

(Seattle, WA) JUNE 1, 2020—Today, Portland-based nonprofit Medical Teams International (Medical Teams) joined the Compass Housing Alliance to test homeless and at-risk veterans for COVID-19. This is being done by Medical Teams International in cooperation with Public Health and other partners to ensure more vulnerable populations are being tested, tracked and cared for. The testing took place today only.

Veterans nationwide, including in the Pacific Northwest, are seeing heightened health and economic threats from the COVID-19 virus due in large part to the fact that they face homelessness, a lack of health care and a veteran’s health system that is under the same intense pressure as other healthcare institutions. According to the Veterans Administration, as of May 22, there have been 12,979 people under VA care with COVID-19, of whom 1,100 have died.

“We are honored to be able to bring our mobile vans to the Compass Housing site to step in and test this most important group in our community,” said Cindy Breilh, Executive Director, U.S. Programs, Medical Teams International. “Their need is great and we are here to help fill that need.”

In March 2020, Medicals Teams began converting and prepping their fleet of 12 Mobile Dental vans to assist with COVID-19 testing where needed, primarily in partnership with Swedish Medical Centers. Since then the nonprofit has participated in testing over 1,000 patients for the coronavirus.

“Partnering with Swedish to assist in COVID-19 screening allowed us to gain the expertise needed to help support the next phase of community testing,” said Breilh. “As the state begins to reopen in phases, we will be reaching out and testing vulnerable populations across the Greater Seattle area and beyond.”

In addition, Medical Teams is currently seeking medical and dental professionals to assist at both their mobile COVID-19 testing sites as well as aboard the mobile dental vans who are still conducting clinics across Washington and Oregon, serving the most urgent dental cases. Those interested in volunteering can click here for more information.

NOTE TO MEDIA:
Reporters interested in photos, video or more information may access those assets here at this DropBox link. Or for interviews, please contact Lee Keller, [email protected], 206.799.3805 or Morrena Villanueva, [email protected], 425.457.1150. 

About Medical Teams International

Founded in 1979, Medical Teams International provides life-saving medical care for people in crisis, such as survivors of natural disasters and refugees. We care for the whole person— physical, emotional, social and spiritual. Daring to love like Jesus, we serve all people—regardless of religion, nationality, sex or race. Because every person—no matter where they are or how desperate their situation—matters. Learn more at medicalteams.org and on social media using @medicalteams. For more information and donations for Medical Teams’ work on COVID-19, please visit  https://www.medicalteams.org/how-we-heal/natural-disasters/covid-19-response/