ROCHESTER, N.Y. — There is a push to get tested for COVID-19 in Rochester. 

"We know COVID is real. We know the numbers are increasing and we want to do what we can for our community," said Dr. Yevette Conyers, president of the Rochester Black Nurses Association. 

On Saturday, the Bull's Head Plaza was transformed into a COVID-19 testing site. City residents got tested for free and received information about COVID-19 while they waited for their results. 

"We're matching that testing with education. With our setup, you'll have your COVID test, but you'll also get information about what that test means about what your next steps are depending on the results of the test," said Linda Clark, the senior health advisor for Common Ground Health and president of the Black Physicians Network. 

The goal of the site was to make things simple and accessible for the public. Residents only had to wait about 15 to 20 minutes in total. 

"I really enjoyed this process. Because it's rapid, it gives you the opportunity to know your results immediately," said Carletta Carter, a Rochester resident who came to get tested. 

The whole testing initiative was a joint effort spearheaded by many Black health professionals. They tell Spectrum News that African Americans are disproportionately affected by COVID-19. Some who got tested understood that reality and had a message for the community. 

"And if I can say to my African American community, let's do our part to work on ensuring we know our results," said Carter. 

Common Ground Health wanted to emphasize that even though they are using the RTS buses, they did say they will be sanitized before public use.