MUSKEGON, MI — A new, neighborhood-based coronavirus testing site will open in a Muskegon church, for appointments three days a week.
The Michigan Department of the Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is behind the new testing site at Christ Temple Church, 412 East Sherman Blvd.
The site’s first day of operation will be Tuesday. It will operate Mondays and Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Thursdays from 12 to 7 p.m.
Testing is free, and language translation and hearing assistance will be available.
The tests will use saliva samples, rather than nasal swabs, and appointments can be booked through the MDHHS website.
These neighborhood sites are part of MDHHS' community site program, in which testing is overseen by community partners, such as churches and nonprofits. Another will open in Detroit this week, bringing the total number of such sites up to 19, since they began opening at the end of August. More sites are planned for Benton Harbor, Grand Rapids, and Warren.
“We have worked to make these sites as accessible as possible to the communities most in need and encourage residents to take advantage of testing available right in their community,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Chief Medical Executive and Chief Deputy Director for Health at MDHHS, in a press release.
COVID-19 PREVENTION TIPS:
In addition to washing hands regularly and not touching your face, officials recommend practicing social distancing, assuming anyone may be carrying the virus.
Health officials say you should be staying at least 6 feet away from others and working from home, if possible.
Use disinfecting wipes or disinfecting spray cleaners on frequently-touched surfaces in your home (door handles, faucets, countertops) and carry hand sanitizer with you when you go into places like stores.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has also issued executive orders requiring people to wear face coverings over their mouth and nosewhile in public indoor and crowded outdoor spaces. See an explanation of what that means here.
Additional information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.
For more data on COVID-19 in Michigan, visit https://www.mlive.com/coronavirus/data/.
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