‘Rapid Test’ coming soon to our area
TRI-CITY AREA — As businesses reopen and the local economy returns to some semblance of normalcy, growing numbers of people are venturing out into the world again.
However, for senior citizens and people with underlying health issues who have spent the better part of two months sheltering in place, there can be some anxiety associated with taking that step.
An employee at Imlay City Urgent Care, 147 N. Almont Ave., is pictured assisting a local resident seeking testing for the coronavirus. Testing for COVID-19 is now being expanded statewide.
Given their common concerns for personal safety and that of others, many seniors want to first be tested for COVID-19 for peace of mind. And even if they have no symptoms.
Kathy Haskins, Director/Health Officer with the Lapeer County Health Department, noted that the availability of testing has expanded in recent weeks to include those who are asymptomatic.
Haskins said there are several urgent care locations in Lapeer County where individuals may be tested without a physician’s prescription.
Additionally, there is a link on the www.michigan.gov/coronavirus website for such testing locations outside the Tri-City Area.
No-cost testing locations can be found at: https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus.
Call in advance
It is advised that those wishing to be tested call the testing facility or their health care provider in advance, before going in for testing.
Local testing sites
• Total Urgent Care at 147 N. Almont Ave. in Imlay City. For an appointment, call 810-721-7640 between the hours of 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
•Lapeer Community Urgent Care Clinic at 1227 Summit Dr. in the City of Lapeer. Call 810- 969-4546 between the hours of 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
•Occupational Health and Convenient Care Center at 1254 N. Main St. in Lapeer. Call 810-667-7040 between 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• McLaren Radiology & Urgent Care at 385 N. Lapeer Rd. in Oxford, MI. Call 248-628-3000 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Oxford Urgent Care at 72 S. Washington St. Oxford. Call 248-236-8333 between the hours of 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
•Washington Urgent Care at 7701 26 Mile Road, Washington Township. Call 586-935-4000 between the hours of 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Rapid Test status
Haskins added that Oxford Urgent Care may now be offering the ‘Rapid Test’ for coronavirus, and that the Lapeer Community Urgent care on Summit Drive is expected to follow soon.
“My staff told me they believe Rapid Test is offered at the Oxford Urgent Care,” said Haskins, “and that the Lapeer Community Urgent Care may also be offering the Rapid test this week or next.”
The COVID-19 Corona Virus IgM/IgG ‘Rapid Test’ is an in vitro diagnostic test solely for the qualitative determination of COVID-19’s IgM and IgG antibodies in human whole blood, serum, plasma and fingertip blood.
Health Department starts new program
On Tuesday, the St. Clair County Health Department announced they will offer drive-thru COVID-19 testing every Tuesday, beginning June 9. Testing will take place during regular business hours in the parking lot of the main office located at 3415 28th Street in Port Huron. Testing is by appointment only and registration is required.
Testing is free and available for any Michigan resident, age 18 years old and older, regardless of symptoms. A doctor’s order/referral is not needed. Health Department staff will contact individuals with results.
For questions or to schedule an appointment contact 810-987-5300.
Tom Wearing started at the Tri-City Times in 1989, covering the Village of Capac as a beat reporter. He later served stints as assistant editor and editor. Today, he covers Imlay City and Almont as a staff writer. He enjoys music and plays drums and sings with various musical groups in the Detroit Metropolitan area.
