New York launches mobile test-and-treat, World Bank OKs pandemic fund

New York City officials, flanked by the White House COVID-19 coordinator, yesterday unveiled the nation's first test-to-treat mobile units, which are designed to speed treatment to vulnerable groups.And in global developments, World Bank officials yesterday approved a new pandemic preparedness fund, designed to shore up disease surveillance, lab networks, and other key health activities in low- and middle-income countries.Test-and-treat reaches out to hard-hit communitiesThe mobile units will provide testing and include a clinician to provide instant access to prescriptions for no-cost antiviral medications for eligible people who test positive for COVID-19, NYC Health said in a statement.

The units are partnering with pharmacies to provide immediate medication distribution.The program is starting with 3 units and will expand to 30 during July.Mayor Eric Adams said New York City was an epicenter in the early pandemic days but is now leading the way on prevention and mitigation. "This mobile Test to Treat program will save lives today and prepares us for future waves of this pandemic, keeping more New Yorkers safe and healthy," he said.Ashish Jha, MD, White House COVID coordinator, said the United States has made a lot of progress. "But we know COVID isn't over, and we must ensure lifesaving treatments like Paxlovid are reaching our hardest-hit communities.

That's exactly what New York City is doing with the launch of the nation's first mobile Test-to-Treat clinic."In other US developments:The Rockefeller Foundation, through its public charity RF Catalytic Capital, is opening its free at-home COVID test program targeting at-risk communities to all states, after it initially offered the program in six states, delivering an