After Norfolk teen’s demise, civil rights chief calls on Virginia to alter its COVID-19 testing and vaccination mannequin

NORFOLK, Virginia (WAVY) – Burying your 17-year-old daughter Schwanda is something Sherrell Corprew never thought she should. Booker T. Washington’s student died on July 30th of what the family initially thought was a cold. Instead, it was COVID-19.

Corprew’s attention immediately turned to Schwanda’s six sisters.

“It’s a little tough, but after passing it, everyone realized they needed to get tested,” said Corprew.

Family identifies 17-year-old Norfolk girl as first child to die of COVID-19 in Eastern Virginia

Sherrell Corprew and her mother Althea Trimble
(WAVY Photo / Regina Mobley)

While the vaccination rate is stagnating, the delta variant is on the move. This concerns the President of the Hampton NAACP, Gaylene Kanoyton.

“When COVID first came out, one person who had COVID could infect two to three people. This delta variant can infect up to six people, ”said Kanoyton, who has been at the forefront of the pandemic from the start.

She calls for a change in the state’s testing and vaccination model.

“This is so important that we do community testing and have the vaccine with us,” she said.

Kanoyton says testing and vaccinations under one roof could be a tipping point for vaccination shyness.

“People in the black and brown churches are hesitant. However, I believe that a person who gets tested can change their mind and get the vaccine, ”Kanoyton said.

(WAVY Photo / Regina Mobley)

Dr. Nancy Welch, director of the Chesapeake Health Department, tells 10 On Your Side, Kanoyton seems to be on to something.

Once a week, Welch runs a joint test and vaccination clinic in the social housing community Genfer Platz. Welch says that a trusted employee was able to convince some who only signed up for testing to take the shot.

The Geneva Square Clinic takes place on Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and is open to anyone wanting a test or vaccination.

The Corprew girls are fine, but their uncle tested positive for COVID-19 after suffering a massive heart attack the night Schwanda died. Schwanda’s mother, who doesn’t like needles, is preparing for the vaccination.

“I think I’ll have to suck it up and get the needle for this,” Corprew said.

ON GoFundMe to help family retire Schwanda exceeded its $ 5,000 goal on Monday.