KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A new testing program for individuals suspected of carrying COVID-19 will kick off this week in Kalamazoo.
The Family Health Center is launching a drive-thru testing location at Stones Church, located at 1225 West Paterson Street in Kalamazoo.
Testing will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday at a newly set up clinic where people can get the opportunity to provide samples and then find out results over the following days.
Those interested must first obtain a pre-test evaluation, including a phone consultation with a physician to get a doctor’s order for the test. Once approved for testing, a provided lab sheet will be brought by people getting tested to the drive-thru site.
Family Health Center president and CEO Denise Crawford says those referred for testing will be able to drive up and easily get tested at the location.
“You’ll drive in, the staff will accommodate you and we will talk you through the entire process,” said Crawford.
Once people arrive in a vehicle they will be directed by staff members to a tented testing facility where a physician will obtain samples using a mouth swab, similar to the testing procedure used for determining the seasonal flu. Following testing, individuals will be directed to a discharge kiosk where they will be told the next steps of the process and when they can expect results.
State officials recently announced that 13 new or expanded drive-thru testing site would be opened across Michigan to increase the number of detected cases among residents. The Family Health Center was one of the healthcare providers that signed onto the broadened testing program implemented by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
“The governor very really instrumental in ensuring that we could get the test kits, and making connections to make sure we could get the testing out and get results for patients,” said Crawford.
Originally designated for those showing more serious signs of COVID-19 or in vulnerable populations, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has expanded testing criteria so that even those with moderate symptoms can be eligible to seek testing for the illness.
Michigan’s current testing priority criteria include those who are:
- Hospitalized patients
- Symptomatic healthcare workers
- Patients in congregate facilities with symptoms, including those at long-term care of elderly living facilities, jails or prisons, homeless shelters, residential foster-care facilities, and other group living settings
- Patients age 65 and older with symptoms
- Patients with underlying conditions with symptoms
- First responders with symptoms
- Critical infrastructure workers with symptoms
The center already provides tests for patients, but Crawford adds that her organization is hoping to further increase testing capability and screening options to respond the growth of COVID-19 in the surrounding community, with the drive-thru option making it more accessible to the public.
Right now Family Health Center staff are equipped to test between 100 and 300 potential carriers of coronavirus a day. More testing sites and availability through the family health center might be offered in the future if demand for testing continues to grow.
The Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department has also set up a drive-thru testing site next to its main office on East Alcott Street in Kalamazoo. Individuals suspected of carrying the virus will be referred by their primary care provider before being directed to the location, where they will undergo a similar process to be tested.
Run by the county health department with staff from Western Michigan University’s WMed Health program, the operation was initiated to increase the availability of COVID-19 testing for residents in Kalamazoo County.
On Thursday Crawford answered questions regarding testing and how the process works in a Facebook Live video. She is encouraging anyone interested in getting pre-evaluated for treatment or who has other questions to call the Family Health Center at (269)-488-0804.
