A free medical clinic in Johnstown is offering free testing to prevent the spread of dangerous viruses.
Highlands Health (formerly called the Johnstown Free Medical Clinic) teamed up with Planned Parenthood of Western PA to offer free HIV testing.
The clinic also started offering free Hepatitis C testing last week.
Cambria County has the third-highest drug overdose death rate in the state, which clinic workers say puts drug users at a greater risk of contracting the viruses.
“With the injection drug crisis that’s happening in Cambria right now, it’s just a hot bed for HIV. And it could just explode in this community. So, before we ever get there, we want to make sure we’re combating it,” said Tom McIntyre, a Planned Parenthood prevention specialist.
Anyone who comes in for testing will also get a free $5 Sheetz gift card.
Highlands Health in Johnstown offers free HIV testing every Monday from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.
The clinic is located at 340 Main St, Johnstown, PA 15901.