GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Two health groups in West Michigan are expanding their testing capabilities beginning Friday as well as who now qualifies for a COVID-19 test.
The goal of both new testing sites is to diagnose people with COVID-19 quicker. One of them is operated by Mercy Health Saint Mary’s in Grand Rapids and the other is by Family Health Center in Kalamazoo.
The director of infectious diseases at Mercy Health St. Mary’s says this increased testing is needed if we want to reopen the economy.
“What needs to be in place for that to happen is the ability to rapidly test people,” said Dr. Andrew Jameson, the Medical Director of Infection Control at Mercy Health St. Mary’s. “Otherwise, we will get a massive spike again and we will be in the same situation as Southeast Michigan, so if we do not have the capacity to test people outside of the high risk groups and outside of a hospital stay, then we will never get on top of this and we will lose control again.”
More at WOOD-TV.