KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Kalamazoo County is continuing to increase coronavirus testing by launching several drive-thru public testing sites.
The Family Health Center has hosted three testing events with the latest taking place on Thursday, April 30 at the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency on East Milham Avenue in Portage from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Results from their other COVID-19 testing operations are as follows:
- April 17 (Stones Church, Kalamazoo): 114 people screened, 23 tested positive (20%), 91 negative.
- April 23 (Loy Norrix HS, Kalamazoo): 294 people screened, 17 tested positive (6%), 277 negative. Many of the people screened on April 23 were essential workers not exhibiting any symptoms, and most returned negative.
The next drive-thru testing events will take place:
- May 5 at Comstock High School from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.
- May 7 at Vicksburg High School from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Those interested must first call the Family Health Center’s testing hotline at 269-488-0804 to register and provide some information about their health insurance. Then they will be transferred to one of the center’s licensed medical providers who will conduct a brief screening regarding exposure, COVID-19 symptoms, and their medical history.
The provider will then offer a lab requisition referral to set a date and time for the drive-up testing.
Individuals approved for testing will be directed to the site, where they will be able to get a nasal swab done by a physician and medical staff while remaining in their vehicle.
President and CEO of the Family Health Center Denise Crawford says the whole process from entering to test completion is averaging 10 to 12 minutes. “This is truly a service and a resource for all of Kalamazoo County and it is available to anyone in the county who is appropriate and meets the screening criteria,” said Crawford.
The following explains who should be screened and tested for COVID-19:
- Anyone with symptoms: dry/hacking cough, fever (sometimes), painful throat or lungs, GI discomfort, diarrhea (sometimes), may present with sinus symptoms.
- Anyone who has previously lost their sense of smell or taste temporarily with symptoms.
- Anyone who believes they may have had Covid-19.
- Any critical infrastructure worker (even with no symptoms.)
- Anyone working in a public capacity with interface with public (even with no symptoms.)
- Anyone living with a critical infrastructure worker (even with no symptoms.)
- Any essential worker (even with no symptoms.)
- Any first responder or healthcare worker (even with no symptoms.)
More information can be found on the Family Health Center’s Facebook page. Those looking to get tested should call 269-488-0804.
