Detroit increases COVID-19 testing, giving 1K tests daily
Amid the omicron surge, Detroit is expanding its COVID-19 testing for residents
Detroit will be expanding COVID-19 testing in the city as Michigan positivity rates accelerate due to the highly contagious omicron variant.
During a press conference on Wednesday (Jan. 5), Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan discussed the omicron variant and the rapid acceleration in cases throughout the state.
“One out of three people to get tested has tested positive in the past two weeks,” Duggan said. According to the city, positive cases soared from 15% to 33% in the past two weeks.
In response to the growing cases, Detroit has opened two rapid test centers for residents. The two locations are Joesph Walker Williams Community Center and Huntington Place, formerly the TCF Center.
The rapids antigen testing will be available at Huntington Place from Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Meanwhile, rapid molecular tests will be available at the Joseph Walker Williams Community Center Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Joseph Walker Williams Community Center will also serve as a drive-thru testing site with same-day testing.
“We are providing 1,000 free rapid COVID-19 tests per day to help Detroiters stay safe,” Mayor Mike Duggan said in a statement. “We are streamlining the testing process, to make it fast and efficient, so Detroiters who make an appointment can get in and out of either location in under an hour.”
The mayor added that “41 nursing homes and ten homeless shelters in the area received 8,000 COVID-19 tests.”
If you’re looking to receive a COVID-19 test, you should make an appointment and either live or work, or both, in Detroit. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 313-230-0505.
Duggan also reminded residents that 12 vaccination sites are available throughout the Motor City. Vaccinations are available Monday through Saturday. For information and to find a vaccination location near you, visit detroitmi.gov.
As for whether Detroit is considering enforcing a mask mandate, Duggan replied that the city would follow protocols from the state.
“There’s no place in the county where it’s easier to get a vaccine or get a test,” Duggan said. “At the end of the day, people are making their own choices.”
