Reminds Nation Resources Are Still Available Even as Nation Enters Next Phase of the Pandemic

 The Conference of National Black Churches (CNBC) is calling on Americans to continue to take precautions against COVID-19 as a “Summer Surge” in cases continues to grapple the nation. Despite an end to the national public health emergency declaration earlier this year, resources remain available for testing, vaccines, and other precautions. CNBC has proactively shared these resources with its more than 31,000 congregations.

“This nationwide increase in cases is a sobering reminder that COVID-19 will remain a persistent threat, especially for Black Americans,” said Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, Chairman of the Conference of National Black Churches (CNBC). “We remain at the greatest risk of contracting the virus, as we have at every step of the pandemic, which is why we must remain vigilant. Resources on vaccines, testing, and treatment are still available and CNBC is urging our millions of collective congregants to stay invested in their health. Black Americans have come too far and weathered too much these last three years to let our guard down now.”

While hospitalizations are nowhere near their 2020 peak, the nation has seen a troubling increase since the beginning of July. The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed more than 9,000 new COVID-19 hospital admissions for the week of July 29^th. That’s a 12.5% increase in hospitalizations from the previous week and a 43.6% uptick from the same time a month earlier. The emerging EG.5 variant is driving this increase, accounting for 17% of new cases in the U.S.

CNBC has proactively sought to combat COVID-19 and the comorbidities it preys upon, which disproportionately impact Black Americans. More than 1 million people have been vaccinated at CNBC-affiliated churches since the shot became available two years ago. Several churches continue to operate as vaccine sites to ensure people stay on top of their health. Earlier this summer, the organization took part in the Community Health & Wellness Festival on the eve of the Essence Festival in New Orleans. CNBC will hold another health fair on the outset of the 60^th anniversary of the March on Washington later this month, along with another in the nation’s capital this October.

Resources available include:

General Information on COVID-19

How Do I Prevent from Getting Sick?

Where Can I Still Get a COVID-19 Vaccine?

I Think I Might Have COVID-19. Where Can I Still Find a Test?

I Tested Positive for COVID-19. What Treatments Are Available?

Where Can I Find Treatments? 

About The Conference of National Black Churches:

The Conference of National Black Churches (CNBC) is the premiere public policy and social justice expression of the Black ecclesiastical denominations comprising CNBC in America. CNBC is comprised of the national leadership of the largest historically Black denominations in America: The African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME), African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (AMEZ), Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME), Church of God in Christ, Inc. (COGIC), National Baptist Convention of America USA, Inc (NBCUSA) and the Progressive National Baptist Convention (PNBC); representing more than 80% of African American Christians across this nation with a combined membership of over 25 million people and 31,000 congregations.