According to the Washoe County Health District as of the end of July, more than 40% of people who tested positive for coronavirus in Washoe County were Hispanic. According to the Washoe County COVID-19 Dashboard, Hispanic coronavirus cases now outnumber Caucasian and black COVID-19 cases are on the rise. So spiritual and community leaders are teaming with Renown for a new set of free coronavirus testing events in Washoe County. The first of these is set for this Saturday at the Ministerio Palabra De Vida Church from 1 pm to 4 pm.

Hairdresser Lisandra Benitez says she knows Hispanic friends who have tested positive for COVID in other areas. Now she's keeping an eye on what's happening in Reno. "There are a couple places in Reno where you can be tested for free and I feel like a lot of people don't know about it," said Benitez.

Renown Health is teaming with faith based organizations from a number of religions for free COVID testing events. They're hoping to put together 15 events with the first set for the Saturday. People have traditions. They may not have access to services that are meaningful. They may have challenges with nutrition or other things that set them up to be more at risk for catching COVID," said Renown Health President and CEO Dr. Anthony Slonim. "Sometimes people may not have the means as far as insurance to do testing. In this case, all the services are going to be free, which makes it available to everyone," said Ministerio Palabra De Vida pastor Cesar Minera.

People can walk-in or drive up to the church's back parking lot where REMSA will administer the tests. Translators will give directions and help with paperwork. Contact information will be required for notification purposes, but immigration status won't be requested or checked.

"If people from the Hispanic community are concerned due to legal status, and they don't want to provide an address, the church can receive the information. We can then provide it to them," said Minera. "This is not about legal or immigration. This is about improving the health and well-being of those in Washoe County," said Dr. Slonim.

The hope is that additional testing will give the most accurate numbers on COVID in the area. Two hundred to three hundred nose swab tests have been set aside for the first event alone. That event is set for Saturday at Ministerio Palabra De Vida church on South Virginia Street from 1 pm - 4 pm.

The next one will be at the Second Baptist Church on October 10th.