BERRIEN COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — More opportunities for COVID-19 testing are available in Berrien County as the community sees an increased number of newly detected cases.
The Berrien County Health Department has set up multiple test sample collection sites, including one at Spectrum Health Lakeland Center for Outpatient Services in St. Joseph and InterCare Community Health Network in Benton Harbor. Intercare also operates a mobile testing unit that travels throughout the county.
County health officials now say that even people with mild or moderate symptoms can receive testing due to increased stockpiles of collection kits and testing equipment, though they still must receive an order from their medical provider.
Currently, Lakeland Hospital sends testing specimens to the Spectrum Health Regional Lab and InterCare has partnered with NxGen Laboratories, both located in Grand Rapids and able to process hundreds of tests each day.
“The increase in testing capacity is crucial for the success of ongoing contact tracing efforts in Berrien County to identify COVID-19 cases early and subsequently test the symptomatic close personal contacts of the confirmed individuals,” says health officer Nicki Britten.
While Berrien County is in a better position to test more people, Britten cautions that testing should only be done for those who believe they might be sick. “Curiosity is not a valid reason to test someone for COVID-19, and timing of testing is significant factor doctors take under consideration when ordering testing,” said Britten.
Spectrum Health Lakeland began testing on April 9th and has so far tested more than 1,950 people. InterCare Community Health Network began testing on April 13th and has tested 450 local residents.
