Three Detroit-area organizations have reopened drive-through coronavirus testing for symptomatic first responders and health care workers after briefly pausing to adjust staffing in the wake of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home executive order.
The Wayne State University Physician Group, in partnership with Wayne State University Health Sciences and ACCESS, are providing drive-through testing for police officers, firefighters, medics and health care workers with COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat).
“We fully support the governor’s order and its goal of keeping our community safe,” said Charles Shanley, M.D., president and chief executive officer of WSUPG and Vice Dean For Clinical Affairs at Wayne State School of Medicine. “We briefly paused screening to determine the impact of the stay-at-home order on our voluntary staff, adjust our schedule accordingly and proceed with a plan that is compliant with the stay-at-home order. We are eager to resume our important mission of protecting those who protect our community.”
Drive-through testing resumes March 25 at 400 Mack Ave. in Detroit from 1 to 6 p.m. for symptomatic health care workers and first responders. Testing will continue five days a week from 1 to 6 p.m. on the following schedule until the end of March, and may be extended based on community need and resource availability:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday – WSUPG headquarters, 400 Mack Ave. in Detroit
- Tuesday and Thursday - ACCESS Community Health and Research Center, 6450 Maple St. in Dearborn
During four days of operation, March 20-23, the program tested a total of 865 health care workers and first responders.
The testing includes collecting brief background and medical histories, followed by a simple and quick nasal swab test offered at no charge to participants. Those tested are notified of the results and care instructions through a private and secure text message.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Wayne State University: Phil Van Hulle – 586-206-8130
ACCESS: Rana Taylor - 313-600-6750