State Giving Away 300,000 COVID Tests

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hospital-safe-1-70

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has announced it’s giving out 300,000 additional COVID-19 tests to Michigan residents through a partnership with the Rockefeller Foundation. Department Director of Communicable Disease Joe Coyle tells WSJM News households in eligible zip codes can apply to receive a shipment of five tests. He notes some people do have trouble getting COVID tests.

“Certainly there are potential access issues or financial costs that might be associated with getting those tests over the counter from a retail store or a pharmacy or something like that,” Coyle said. “So, I think that’s been one of our focuses, to make sure that populations who haven’t had that same level of access are able to get tests distributed directly to their households.”

Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, and South Haven all qualify for the free tests. Coyle says they’re easy to use, fast, and accurate. Also, he notes the state is still seeing north of 1,000 new COVID cases each day, although hospitalizations and deaths are down thanks to vaccines. You can sign up to receive a shipment of tests at AccessCovidTests.org.