Project HOPE Awarded Grant to Reduce Transmission of COVID-19 Variants in Long-term Care Facilities

WASHINGTON, DC (January 21,2022) – Project HOPE, a global health and humanitarian organization, is pleased to announce that Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), the world’s leading provider of diagnostic information services, has made a commitment to support COVID-19 testing services that will help to reduce transmission and prevent infection among long-term care facility staff and residents in Illinois and Texas.

Over 20 months into the pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to highly recommend having prevention strategies in place to safeguard populations at highest risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19, particularly in the context of the highly transmissible Delta and Omicron variants. Early detection of COVID-19 is critical for high-risk populations including long-term care facilities. According to the CDC, a strong infection prevention and control program is critical to maximize protection of both residents and healthcare personnel (HCP) in these communities.

In addition to COVID-19 testing, Quest Diagnostics’ support through the company’s Quest for Health Equity (Q4HE) initiative will enable Project HOPE to identify long-term care facilities in need of support, and provide them with on-site assessments, tailored risk-mitigation plans, and supportive mentorships. These essential services will help to reduce the transmission of the current COVID-19 variants within targeted long-term care facilities and protect the lives of vulnerable patients and dedicated staff.

According to Harley Jones, Project HOPE’s Director of U.S. Emergency Response, “COVID-19 outbreaks continue to affect long-term care facilities, which leaves both residents and staff at risk. With the support of Quest Diagnostics, Project HOPE will continue our lifesaving infection prevention and control support to long-term care facilities across the Chicago metropolitan area and southeast Texas.”

As a part of this collaboration, Project HOPE has provided infection prevention support and planning to 28 nursing homes across Chicagoland, impacting more than 2,800 residents. In addition, Project HOPE has identified four high-risk, non-profit nursing homes in need of COVID-19 testing support for residents and staff. Quest Diagnostics is providing no-cost testing at the Little Sisters of the Poor in Chicago, IL; Rosary Hill in Justice, IL; Focused Care in Orange, Texas; and the Oakwood Manor Nursing Home in Vidor, Texas.

“Project HOPE has been responding to COVID-19 since the virus first emerged, and to date, we have trained more than 116,000 health care workers and frontline personnel, delivered over 17.5 million pieces of PPE and reached more than 150 countries worldwide,” said Jones. “With support from Quest Diagnostics, we will further support long-term care facilities’ testing requirements by providing access to testing kits and implementing testing strategies to help combat the increased risks brought on by the Delta and Omicron variants.”

Q4HE is providing COVID-19 testing to support Project HOPE’s targeted pandemic response in long-term care and residential facilities, with a focus on those that are most vulnerable and possess the fewest resources. In addition, Q4HE will support Project HOPE’s crisis response program, which includes staffing, travel, materials and more, to improve COVID-19 testing access for vulnerable populations, reduce transmission in long-term care facilities, and address key social determinants of health in marginalized communities.

“Project HOPE has been leading the fight against COVID-19’s impacts on a global scale,” said Mandell Jackson, Vice President and General Manager, Quest for Health Equity. “We’re proud to join forces with Project HOPE in the important work of supporting the patients and staff in long-term care facilities who deal with the challenges of COVID-19 every day.”

Working in partnership with the Chicago Department of Public Health and Cook County (IL) Department of Public Health as well as Hardin and Orange County Health Departments in Texas, Project HOPE medical staff teams provide ongoing technical mentorship and support to particularly vulnerable long-term care facilities. As the organization’s efforts grow, Project HOPE also plans to engage medical professionals and subject matter experts in visiting long-term care facilities while expanding reach to other facilities in need.

About Project HOPE
With the mission to place power in the hands of local health workers to save lives around the world, Project HOPE is a global health and humanitarian organization operating in more than 25 countries. Founded in 1958, we work side-by-side with local health systems to improve health and support community resilience. We work at the epicenter of today’s greatest health challenges, including infectious and chronic diseases; disasters and health crises; maternal, neonatal and child health; pandemic preparedness and response; mental health for health workers; and the policies that impact how health care is delivered. For more information, visit www.ProjectHOPE.org and follow us on Twitter @ProjectHOPEorg.

About Quest Diagnostics
Quest Diagnostics empowers people to take action to improve health outcomes. Derived from the world’s largest database of clinical lab results, our diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve health care management. Quest annually serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in the United States, and our nearly 50,000 employees understand that, in the right hands and with the right context, our diagnostic insights can inspire actions that transform lives. www.QuestDiagnostics.com.

About Quest for Health Equity
Quest for Health Equity is an initiative of Quest Diagnostics and the Quest Diagnostics Foundation focused on providing resources, funding, testing services and education to address health disparities in underserved communities across the U.S.

Interviews available upon request. 
Contact: Cinira Baldi, Vice President, Chief Communications & Development Officer, Project HOPE, CBaldi@ProjectHOPE.org