The City of Oakland announced Monday a partnership with Allen Temple Baptist Church and the emergency relief nonprofit organization Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE) to open a new COVID-19 community-based testing site (CBTS) in East Oakland.

“As a proud member of Allen Temple Baptist Church since 1984, I want to commend Pastor Thompson and the church for continuing its mission of empowerment and public service in East Oakland,” said U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee.

Oakland City Councilmember Larry Reid said that East Oakland is disproportionately harmed by the impacts of COVID-19.

“I want my community to know we see that harm and we are prioritizing East Oakland for testing locations,” said Reid, who represents the district in which Allen Temple is located.

We look forward to the opportunity to work with our city, county and nonprofit partners to meet this critical need in East Oakland,” said Allen Temple Pastor Jacqueline Thompson.