Even though cases of COVID-19 have dropped and many restrictions have been lifted, the folks at Orchid Health's Wade Creek Clinic are still working to keep the community safe, handing out test kits masks and providing vaccinations.
On a recent Tuesday, Orchid Health held a drive-thru distribution and cars rolled through to pick up free COVID-19 supplies.
Tests will also be available to any member of the Estacada community at the clinic when it's open.
"Anyone is welcome to stop by our clinic during our regular business hours to pick up a home test kit," Orchid Community Health Worker Megan Diebel said. The clinic is at 535 N.E. Sixth Ave.
Orchid Health plans to continue its home test kit program until it is out of supplies.
At the drive-thru, one patient picking up supplies told the clinic workers, "My husband and I had Covid a couple of weeks ago, so extra tests around the house are actually really helpful."
Orchid Health team members were handing out kits that contain things such as home test kits and K-N95 masks.
"It's a chance for people to stock up," said Diebel, "our hope is that we can get more tests out in the community because we have more access to testing than before."
A recent influx of supplies from the state and federal government allows Orchid Health to organize this event. Diebel said one of Orchid's goals is to hand out as many COVID-19 home tests as possible.
The clinic had a distribution event in early March at the clinic on the Estacada High School campus.
"During our first event, we handed out over 600 tests to our community," Diebel said.
The clinic has done several drive-thru vaccination clinics throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
Vaccinations are still available at the clinic and are free. People need not be a regular patient at the clinic to get a vaccination.
"We want our community to know that we have their back and are here to support them through the remainder of the pandemic," said Clinic Manager Missy Albrich.
