LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Coronavirus testing continues to be an important tool during this health pandemic and now, even more Michiganders can be tested.
On Tuesday, May 26, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed another executive order which expands the types of medical personnel that can order a coronavirus test. It also creates a new category of community testing sites that offer testing without charging an out-of-pocket cost.
This means anyone who leaves their home for work, or has symptoms of COVID-19 may receive a test at a community testing location without securing a doctor’s order in advance.
Specifically, eligible Michiganders include someone who:
- Exhibits any symptom of COVID-19, including mild symptoms
- Has been exposed to a person with COVID-19
- Has been working outside their home for at least 10 days
- Resides in any congregate setting, such as a long-term care facility, prison or jail, homeless shelter, or migrant camp
Those looking to get tested should call the coronavirus hotline at 1-888-535-6136 or visit michigan.gov/coronavirustest to find a testing location.
In a written statement, Governor Whitmer stated, “We need to keep working to expand testing, which is why it is crucial that Michiganders who have COVID-19 symptoms, even mild ones, or have been in contact with someone who has the virus can get tested. This Executive Order will pave the way for more community testing sites to open as we work towards our goal of 15,000 tests administered daily in Michigan. We owe it to the real heroes of this crisis — medical workers, first responders and other essential workers — to do what we can to stop the spread of the virus.”
In addition, a new, online dashboard is now showing the risks and trends of COVID-19 in Michigan.
At MiStartMap.Info, Michiganders can view information like the percentage of positive tests, the number of tests administered, the number of new cases, and the number of deaths in certain areas of the state. It also shows what phase of the MI Safe Start Plan each region is in.
The website was developed through a collaboration between the Michigan departments of Health and Human Services and Labor and Economic Opportunity and the University of Michigan.
Chief Medical Executive and Chief Deputy for Health Dr. Joneigh Khaldun says, “The risk levels tell us whether there is high, medium or low risk of COVID-19 spread in a community and can help highlight areas where more social distancing may be needed, or where vulnerable individuals should be particularly careful.”
Governor Whitmer said, “The most important thing we can do right now is listen to the experts and follow the medical science. Our first responders have put their lives on the line during this crisis, and we owe it to them to get this right. This dashboard will provide us with the data we need to assess risk in different regions of the state so we can re-engage our economy safely and deliberately, while working to minimize the risk of a second wave of infections. The whole goal here is to help ensure we keep more people healthy and out of hospitals.”
In other updates, the governor said during a press briefing that over 1,000 people applied for the Michigan Return to Learn Advisory Council, so they are still working to narrow down that pool of applicants.
She also stopped rumors about her husband who reportedly urged a business to get his boat in the water in time for the Memorial Day weekend. She said the phone call was a bad attempt at humor when he stated that he was the husband to the governor to see if that would move them up on the list.
More information can be found at MiStartMap.info as well as Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
