Later this week, a COVID-19 testing site will open up just outside PedEast, where tens of thousands of pedestrians cross into the United States from Mexico every day.

The location is thought to be the closest testing location to the U.S.-Mexico border in any state, and is the result, the county says, of a data-driven, community-led strategy that aims to slow the spread of COVID-19 in South Bay communities.

Officials have long known that the pandemic has disproportionately affected the South County region, where cases continue to climb. Factors that contribute to these increases include long-standing disparities in access to health care, a large population of essential workers and a lack of affordable housing.

Proximity to the border also plays a role, county officials said.

Read more: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/health/story/2020-08-09/new-testing-site-at-pedeast-crossing-first-of-its-kind-along-u-s-mexico-border

Contact the reporters: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-lyndsay-winkley-staff.html

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