The Journey of the COVID-19 Mobile Testing Unit: Success, Partnerships, and Impact in Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is proud to celebrate the success of its COVID-19 Mobile Testing Unit, which concluded its operations in June. During a time when COVID-19 cases were on the rise, the Mobile Testing Unit played a crucial role in providing testing and guidance to communities in Philadelphia that faced barriers to accessing care.

The Mobile Testing Unit initially started with one vehicle in December 2020 and later added a second vehicle in May 2021. The unit’s success was greatly attributed to the partnerships established with community and faith-based organizations across the city, who allowed the Mobile Testing Unit to bring its services to their locations. A needs assessment conducted in 2022, along with ongoing COVID-19 surveillance data, helped determine the neighborhoods where the testing trucks would be deployed.

Operating through various weather conditions, the Mobile Testing Unit continued to offer free COVID-19 testing to all Philadelphia residents even after the public health emergency ended in May 2023. During its operation, the unit served over 24,000 patients, visited 59 neighborhoods, administered thousands of tests, distributed home test kits, and participated in health fairs and community events. The unit was also featured in a presentation at the 2022 American Public Health Association Conference in Boston.

Special recognition is given to key staff members including Program Manager Vernell Brown, Program Assistant Cielo Butler, Supervisor Rabiah Asif and Coordinator Mekeida Thomas. Additionally, the unit acknowledges the contributions of testing instructors and the support from