High COVID-19 transmission across Michigan has many people scrambling to get tested for the virus ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
A new testing facility in Kalamazoo opened at the beginning of November, offering PCR and rapid COVID-19 tests free of charge.
“Definitely a sharp increase ahead of Thanksgiving," Center for COVID Control in Kalamazoo Owner Betsy said. "A lot of people are trying to do right by their loved ones, especially if they have any elderly family members wanting to be tested so they feel like they’re doing the right thing and not putting family in harm's way.”
The Center for COVID Control, 3262 Stadium Drive, in Kalamazoo is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The testing center will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 25.
It is a walk-in testing center, no appointments are needed.
People can come to the facility, scan a bar code that pulls up a link to fill out their information. Then, they will get an alert when to come into the center to take the COVID-19 test.
Betsy said everyone who comes to get a test will automatically get both a rapid and PCR test for COVID-19. It is self-testing.
The rapid results come back in 30 minutes.
The PCR test is sent to a lab in Illinois, with the results coming back between 48 and 72 hours.
“I would say a majority of the people who come in are looking for the rapid tests. I think there’s just a shortage in Kalamazoo on rapid testing so we’re one of the few that offer it," Betsy said.
Checking online at Kalamazoo-area pharmacies, as of Tuesday afternoon, appointments for a rapid COVID-19 test were booked until Friday.
In store, Walgreens had at-home raid tests available for $23.99, but stock was limited.
- Rise in COVID Cases:Uptick in COVID-19 outbreaks cancels school for some the week of Thanksgiving
West Michigan health leaders said with COVID-19 transmission at the highest levels Michigan has seen since the start of the pandemic, at more than 7,000 cases a day, they are encouraging people to get tested before and after the holiday.
"This Thanksgiving poses risks for all of us, we all have to evaluate how to keep our family and loved ones safe," said Allegan County Public Health Preparedness and Planning Manager Lindsay Maunz.
The Allegan County health department is hosting a free drive-thru COVID-19 testing clinic from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 24 at the Allegan Transportation Building.
Follow Trisha McCauley on Facebook and Twitter. Send story ideas to tamccauley@sbgtv.com.