Free virus tests available
Business was steady at the Oakland County drivethrough COVID-19 testing site at a Pontiac Fire Station on Thursday. More than 300 residents had made appointments to get tested for the virus.
The fire station on South Boulevard is one of four sites sponsored by the Oakland County Health Division that provide coronavirus testing at no cost for residents 18 and older with or without symptoms. Children ages 4-17 must have symptoms and be a resident or attend school in Oakland County. Testing locations are also available in Holly, Rochester and Southfield. Appointments must be made in advance at 1-800-848- 5533.
Testing is key in trying to control the spread of the coronavirus. And when deciding whether to be tested, cost should not be a factor.
Along with the Oakland County testing sites, there are several places where testing is done at no charge even without health insurance. Some testing sites require a doctor’s order.
The state of Michigan website directs residents to testing sites near their residences. When seeking a location on their site one can also request a place available at no cost, without a doctor’s order, without symptoms or for uninsured individuals. See Michigan.gov/coronavirus or call 1-888- 535- 6136.
The state just opened its 22nd community testing site in Warren.
“More than 34,000 Michiganders have been tested at one of the Neighborhood Testing Sites since they opened in August,’’ said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy of health at MDHHS. “Locations were chosen in part to help address racial and ethnic disparities that existed prior to the pandemic and were exacerbated by the virus. These sites have proven to be a valuable resource for communities across the state to ensure free testing is available to all Michigan residents.”
Also many retailers offer COVID-19 testing, including CVS and Walgreens.
CVS’s website says there is zero out of pocket cost with insurance or through a federal program for the uninsured.
Walgreens is offering nocost, contactless COVID-19 testing for patients age 3 and up at select locations in partnership with the PWNHealth provider network, according to their website.They recommend contacting your insurer beforehand to confirm the test will meet the coverage criteria.
Many urgent care facilities in Oakland County also offer COVID-19.
The CDC’s recommendations for who should be tested: People who have symptoms of COVID-19; People who have had close contact (within 6 feet of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes or more) with someone with confirmed COVID-19.; people who have been asked or referred to get testing by their healthcare provider, local, external icon or state health department.
The CDC suggests that not everyone needs to be tested. If you do get tested, you should self-quarantine/ isolate at home pending test results and follow the advice of your health care provider or a public health professional.
If you test positive, the CDC reports that most people have mild COVID-19 illness and can recover at home without medical care. However, if your symptoms are getting worse or if you have questions about your health, contact your healthcare provider.