A new data note from the Geiger Gibson/RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Collaborative updates previous findings on the impact of COVID-19 on community health centers. The data note is based on survey data collected by HRSA, as reported for April 17, 2020. Key findings include:
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85 percent of responding health centers reported that they have capacity to test for COVID-19. In twelve states, 100 percent of responding health centers have the ability to test.
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Health centers reported 58,362 patients were tested for COVID-19, ranging from five in Wyoming to 12,473 in California.
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Of those patients, 8,886 patients tested positive, with health centers in just three states accounting for 41 percent of all positive tests.
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Compared to their pre-COVID-19 visit volume, health centers reported a decrease in visits of 49 percent nationally, with health centers in 28 states reporting a decline in total visits of at least 50 percent.
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Nationally, more than half of all visits for the week prior to the survey were conducted virtually, while health centers in three states (Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont) reported that at least 75 percent of all visits were telehealth or telephonic visits.
Read the data note: Key Updates from the Health Center COVID-19 Survey: Week 3
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Emerging Leaders Announced
Each year, the Geiger Gibson Program in Community Health Policy honors Emerging Leaders working at community and farmworker health centers, health center networks, or state and regional primary care associations for their achievements in and on behalf of their communities. While the COVID-19 pandemic has prevented us from hosting a ceremony in Washington D.C. to recognize the accomplishments of these Emerging Leaders, we honor here twelve colleagues from across the country, including clinicians, front-line managers, and administrators, who have been awarded the “Emerging Leader” distinction.
