DETROIT (WWJ) – Health officials are continuing to report rising COVID-19 numbers in Michigan and Detroit officials are looking to expand the city's capacity for testing residents.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday reported 27,346 new cases and 277 new deaths related to the virus over the last two days.
That’s an average of more than 13,600 cases during the last two days – a new pandemic record for daily case average.
Just last week, health officials reported more than 12,000 cases per day, a record at that point.
In the nearly two years since the start of the pandemic, Michigan has seen 1,595,919 total confirmed cases and 27,563 deaths.
Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announced Wednesday the city will be ramping up testing efforts, with expanded capabilities as the case positivity rates has more than doubled over the last couple weeks.
The city is gearing up two rapid testing centers at the Joseph Walker Williams Rec Center -- on Rosa Parks near Grand Boulevard -- and at Huntington Place downtown.
"Our new sites are taking 1,000 appointments a day. Same telephone number we've always used: 313-230-0505," Duggan said. "You can call it right now and we will book you for tomorrow."
Duggan says those who come to get tested at those sites won't have to wait in line and they will move through efficiently.
Appointments are required and walk-ups will not be welcomed. You can find more information, including how to book appointments, on the city's website.
MDHHS also reported there were more than 4,440 virus-related hospitalizations across the state as of Wednesday morning – up by more than 200 since Monday.
Data from the state shows hospital admissions for nearly all age groups has increased over the past week, with the number of children hospitalized nearly doubling since last week.
As health officials are concerned about the rapidly spreading omicron variant of COVID-19, thousands of metro Detroiters are getting tested to start 2022.
Duggan said it was important to make the new testing efforts by appointment only to avoid long lines, as has been seen elsewhere in metro Detroit.
Hundreds of cars were lined up to get tested in Sterling Heights.
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