OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. (WXYZ) — Oakland County will begin drive-thru COVID-19 testing for first responders, essential business employees and Pontiac residents who display symptoms.
In partnership with Honor Community Health, the testing will be offered from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and weekdays after that at the county complex at 1200 N. Telegraph Road in Pontiac.
Between 50-100 tests will be offered the first two days and capacity will increase to 250 tests a day next week. Results are expected within 24 to 48 hours.
MORE TESTING: “Drive-thru testing starts Thursday similar to State Fairgrounds. Eventually for more people, but for starters you must have symptoms.” Oakland County Exec. Dave Coulter says masks will be also required, for essential workers. @wxyzdetroit #COVID19 #5PM pic.twitter.com/8Y2vivqEMD
— Simon Shaykhet WXYZ (@simonshaykhet) April 14, 2020
First responders, essential business employees and Pontiac residents who display symptoms of the coronavirus – fever, trouble breathing, persistent dry cough, have underlying health conditions or are age 65 or older – should call the Health Division’s “Nurse on Call” hotline at 1-800-848- 5533 to schedule an appointment.
Pontiac was identified by the county’s Health Division as a location where fewer residents have been tested than in other communities. Testing will be opened to others as capacity increases, Coulter said.
“Instead of requiring a doctor’s prescription for the testing, the medical director from our Health Division will issue a standing order on who meets the guidelines for a test,” Coulter said. “We want to make this as barrier-free as possible. We must identify the extent of the virus in our communities and address the problem.”
Additionally, the Oakland County Health Division issued an emergency order requiring essential business employees to wear facial coverings.
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
Read our daily Coronavirus Live Blog for the latest updates and news on coronavirus.
Click here for a page with resources including a COVID-19 overview from the CDC, details on cases in Michigan, a timeline of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's orders since the outbreak, coronavirus' impact on Southeast Michigan, and links to more information from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC and the WHO.
View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.
Find out how you can help metro Detroit restaurants struggling during the pandemic.
See all of our Helping Each Other stories.
See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.