In the News

LYNN — As the city prepares to reopen, Lynn Community Health Center is launching a campaign to encourage more residents to get tested for COVID-19. The purpose of the campaign is to provide Lynn Community Health Center and other health officials in the city with a better sense of how widespread the virus is in the community. Dr. Geoff Pechinsky, LCHC chief medical officer, said the city’s seven-day positive rate, which at 29.62 percent is about three times higher than the state average, could indicate that not enough people are getting tested. For example, Pechinsky said the high rate, which is 22 percent at LCHC, could indicate that only the sickest people are getting tested for the coronavirus, which could be skewing results and preventing health officials from getting a handle on community spread. “We know the reason (for the higher rate) is we’re just not testing enough people,” said Pechinsky. “We’re offering testing here for people who are not symptomatic but have been in contact with people who have had COVID.” The LCHC campaign, which kicked off this week, is focused on reaching out to Lynn businesses that rely on “customer-facing work,” such as barbershops, salons and food preparation, with an offer to test their employees before they return from furlough. ...

https://www.itemlive.com/2020/06/04/lynn-health-center-pushes-for-more-virus-testing/

LYNN — Lynn Community Health Center has received a $715,000 federal boost for its coronavirus testing capacity, and the facility’s healthcare employees will also receive some financial relief through union-negotiated temporary wage increases. Distributed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the  federal grant was awarded through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The new grant supplements the $1.228 million stimulus grant the health center received last month through the $2 trillion coronavirus economic relief package that passed through Congress and was signed by President Donald Trump in late March. “Better late than never,” said U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton in a statement. “This news is long overdue, but it’s good news for everyone. We’ve known since the beginning of this that testing is critical. To have any chance of reopening safely, we need much more testing, and this is a step in that direction.” Unlike the initial funding, which the health center was able to put toward making up for its loss of revenue and additional expenses it had incurred during the pandemic, the latest grant is specifically earmarked for coronavirus testing, according to LCHC CEO Dr. Kiame Mahaniah. “We’re not billing people for the tests, the lab that’s running the tests will not be billing patients either,” said Mahaniah. “This funding allows us to deliver on the federal government’s promise that you can get tested and treated for coronavirus illness regardless of insurance. “Our goal from a public health standpoint is to be able to test about 500 people a day, so that’s what we’re going to do. This funding allows us to consider reaching that goal without figuring out how to charge or bill people. It allows us to focus on delivering that needed service to the city of Lynn.” ...

https://www.itemlive.com/2020/05/13/lchc-gets-more-grant-money-for-tests-caregivers-given-crisis-pay/

LYNN — Lynn Community Health Center will begin to offer walk-through coronavirus testing for its patients on Tuesday. The outdoor clinic will be set up in a tent at the Element Care parking lot at 9 Buffum St., located across the street from the health center’s main site on Union Street. Dr. Geoff Pechinsky, Lynn Community Health Center chief medical officer, said healthcare workers will be able test up to 100 patients per day at the downtown clinic with test kits that are being provided by North Shore Medical Center. The service will only be available for current LCHC patients, who need both a referral and an appointment to be tested at the clinic. Only those who exhibit COVID-19 symptoms will be tested. Patients can walk up to the tent to get tested, and the results will be sent electronically to their medical provider within one to two days. The provider will then call the patient to share their test results. “It’s something we’ve been wanting to do for awhile,” said Pechinsky. “It hinged on the testing. We have the staff. Knowing that we have that steady supply of tests, it’s absolutely exciting. I think the next step after that is: how do we increase testing even further? How do we do the follow-up with people who have tested positive and do the contract tracing from there?” ...

https://www.itemlive.com/2020/04/20/lynn-community-health-center-expands-covid-19-testing/

As is the case throughout Massachusetts, the number of COVID-19 cases in Lynn and surrounding communities have risen sharply over the past week and is expected to rise through at least the middle of April. As everyday life is on hold, the fo­cus on health and well-being has never been greater. North Shore Medical Center and Lynn Community Health Center, in collaboration with the City of Lynn, are in daily com­munication and closely coordi­nating our community’s response to COVID-19. Both institutions are preparing to meet increased demand for both inpatient and goal of minimizing the number of patients who need hospitaliza­tion. Members of the public have an important role to play in mak­ing sure our hospitals and health centers do not get overwhelmed: • Continue to follow the key CDC recommendations for stay­ing healthy: wash your hands fre­quently, avoid close contact with those who are sick, stay home when you are sick, cover your coughs and sneezes, and clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces. • Follow the Governor’s advi­sory to stay at home for all but essential business, and practice social distancing when out and about. This has already helped us slow down the progress of the disease in our state and commu­nity. • When you are sick, call your doctor’s office immediate­ly—do not come into a health­care facility, including an urgent care, health center or emergency room, unless you are instructed to do so. There are many ways your doctor can help you through telephone or video. If you do need to see a doctor, you will be given special instructions about how to do so. This approach will help keep you and your loved ones, as well as healthcare staff, from unnecessary exposure to COVID-19. • Please DO NOT go to the Emergency Department unless you are experiencing severe dis­tress for a life-threating emer­gency, such as stroke, heart at­tack or major traumatic injury. Please help us conserve hospital beds for those most in need. ...

https://lynnjournal.com/2020/04/09/advice-for-lynn-residents/

LCHC services continue with additional safety protocols

http://www.msonewsports.com/greg-hood-from-lynn-community-health-center-services-continue-with-safety-protocols-during-covid-19-concerns/

Lynn TV: Interview with Linda Galligani, NP, on Coronavirus

https://youtu.be/68XiSYvonjI