Michigan To Provide Drive-Through Rapid COVID-19 Testing

TDS News
Midwest USA
U.S.A
April 21, 2020

Michigan To Provide Drive-Through Rapid COVID-19 Testing. The Site Will Test 500-750 Residents Daily

Michigan Governor Whitmer announced a partnership with CVS Health to provide drive-through Rapid COVID-19 Testing in Dearborn, part of the ongoing effort to expand testing for the virus statewide during the continuing pandemic.

Testing will be conducted in the parking lot of the Henry Ford Centennial Library, 16301 Michigan Ave., at no cost to eligible Michiganders. A doctor’s referral is not required.

The site will test 500-750 residents daily who are experiencing certain COVID-19-related symptoms and risk factors as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“We need COVID-19 testing now more than ever to get an accurate count of infections to help us continue flattening the curve of this unprecedented pandemic in every corner of our state,” Governor Whitmer said. “Our partnership with CVS Health is a significant step toward speeding up Michigan’s recovery and getting Michiganders back to a sense of normalcy in their daily lives.”

Drive-through testing is available by appointment seven days a week. Residents are required to be pre-screened and register for a test at cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing.

Health care providers will be on-site to oversee testing. Testing will be conducted using the new Abbot ID NOW™ COVID-19 test, which recently received emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the fastest detection of the virus. The state is also providing security, personal protective equipment supplies for the team administering the tests, and on-the-ground logistics.

Patients are required to stay in their vehicles at the testing site. The testing process takes about 30 minutes from the collection of the swab to the delivery of results.

“CVS Health is uniquely positioned to play a vital role in helping support both local communities and the overall health care system in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Troyen A. Brennan, M.D., M.P.H, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of CVS Health. “Our ability to help coordinate the availability of rapid COVID-19 testing for Michigan residents will bolster the state’s efforts to manage the spread of the virus and provide people with on-the-spot test results.”

Governor Whitmer has come under heavy attack in recent days by pro-Trump supporters for not reopening the economy. The Governor along with New York’s Governor Cuomo has been seen as the defector president of the US in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.