​12 New Coronavirus Testing Sites Announced Across Michigan

MICHIGAN — Michigan has partnered with community organizations to launch 12 neighborhood testing sites for the coronavirus by the end of the week and more than 20 across the state in coming weeks.

Communities that will see one of the initial 12 neighborhood testing sites include Albion, Detroit, Ecorse, Flint, Graying and Roseville, the state said.

“Expanding access to testing will help us protect ourselves, our families, and the brave men and women on the front lines of this crisis," Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement. "That’s why we are working to remove as many barriers as possible to ensure COVID-19 testing is accessible for all Michiganders.

“After looking closely at the data and working with community partners, we believe these sites will provide the greatest access to testing for Michiganders across the state. We appreciate the willingness of these community partners to open their doors for this very important effort.”

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Testing will be free and hosted by community partners including churches, community colleges and nonprofit organizations, according to a news release. Locations were chosen in part to help address racial and ethnic disparities that had existed prior to the pandemic and were exacerbated by the virus — a focus of the Racial Disparities Task Force, the state said.

Three sites have started testing in Detroit with additional sites coming online this week in Albion, Ecorse, Flint, Graying and Roseville. Additional sites are slated in Benton Harbor, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Muskegon, Niles, Saginaw and Wayne in coming weeks.

The Detroit Health Department will have volunteers at several testing sites in Detroit to connect community members with a variety of public health programs and human services, such as state benefits, immunizations and lead testing. The Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan is providing $55,000 to help support the 11 Southeast Michigan sites.

“These Neighborhood Testing Sites will provide more than a place to get a COVID test,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “We know there are gaps in services in many communities in our state and these locations were chosen in an effort to address as many of these issues as possible.”

Testing sites will offer saliva tests, which are less invasive than nasal swabs and may make the testing process more tolerable for some people, the state said.

Patients can book online in advance or walk-in to a testing site.

Test sites open and opening this week are listed below:

• Historic King Solomon Baptist Church of Detroit, 6100 14th Street, Detroit. Hours: Thursdays 12 – 8 p.m.; Fridays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Triumph Church, Central Campus 15801 Joy Road, Detroit. Hours: Mondays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Wednesdays 12 – 8 p.m.; Fridays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Wayne County Community College District Northwest Campus, 8200 West Outer Drive, Detroit. Hours: Tuesdays 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Wednesdays 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Southwestern Church of God, 3032 Fort Street, Detroit. Hours: Mondays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Wednesdays 12 – 8 p.m.; Saturdays 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Macedonia Baptist Church, G5443 North Saginaw Street, Flint. Hours: Mondays 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Fridays 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Bethel United Methodist Church, B1309 N Ballenger Highway, Flint. Hours: Tuesdays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Wednesdays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Thursdays 1 – 7 p.m.
• All God’s People, 25295 Chippendale Street, Roseville. Hours: Tuesdays 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Wednesdays 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Thursdays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Word of Life Christian Church, 460 West Atherton Road, Flint. Hours: Tuesdays 12 – 6 p.m.; Wednesdays 12 – 6 p.m.; Thursdays 12 – 6 p.m. Open on Sept. 3.
• International Gospel Center, 375 Salliotte Road, Ecorse. Hours: Tuesdays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Wednesdays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Thursdays 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Open on Sept. 3.
• Albion College-Washington Gardner, 401 East Michigan Avenue, Albion. Hours: Mondays 12 – 7 p.m.; Wednesdays 12 – 7 p.m.; Fridays 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Open on Sept. 4.
• Kirtland Community College, 4800 West 4 Mile Road, Grayling. Hours: Wednesdays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Thursdays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Open on Sept. 5.
• Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, Head Start Building 14000 West Seven Mile, Detroit. Hours: Mondays 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Fridays 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Open on Sept. 5.