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COVID-19 has interrupted STD screenings in Philadelphia, and sexual health centers are concerned

from The Philadelphia Inquirer

COVID-19 has interrupted STD screenings in Philadelphia, and sexual health centers are concerned The Philadelphia Inquirer When the COVID-19 pandemic sparked the stay-at-home order in Philadelphia in March, sexual health centers across the city were allowed to remain open as long as they stopped elective procedures, and adhered to social distancing measures to protect patients and staff. But those safety measures have led to an interruption in walk-in testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) at some centers — many of which serve mainly patients without health insurance — because of the risk of COVID-19 exposure to staffers and other patients. So fewer people are getting tested, officials said. That's particularly worrying in Philadelphia, where rates for syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia have far exceeded national averages. READ MORE

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