ROYAL OAK, Mich. (WWJ) -- Multiple metro Detroit hospitals have rolled out curbside testing for coronavirus, with Beaumont Health now offering screening sites at eight different locations.
While "drive-thru testing" is available at Beaumont hospitals in Royal Oak, Dearborn, Farmington Hills, Troy, Grosse Pointe, Taylor, Trenton and Wayne, health officials are saying due to their limited resources for the time being, testing isn't necessarily available for everyone.
"Screening is not necessary for everyone if you are not having symptoms," Dr. Nicholas Gilpin, Beaumont Health’s medical director of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology said at a press conference. "We are hoping to keep the flow of our patients coming though our doors as under control as we can."
Officials are encouraging people who are experiencing coronavirus symptoms that are more severe than mild, as well as those who are more at-risk -- elderly patients and those with weakened immune systems or other pre-existing conditions -- to get curbside tests.
Gilpin says people who have mild symptoms or are asymptomatic should take the usual care precautions at home.
“The best treatment for many people who develop COVID-19 involves staying home, drinking lots of fluids, resting and taking over-the-counter pain relievers,” Gilpin said. “This is critically important: Please try to call ahead before seeking medical attention. This will help us reduce the spread of the virus and conserve our medical supplies for those who need them most.”
Multiple COVID-19 hotlines have been set up by hospitals, as well as the state.
"We have to be careful with the resources we have right now," said Dr. James Ziadeh, chief of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Beaumont Royal Oak.
Beaumont officials say they have been pleased with the curbside screening process thus far. Hundreds of people have been tested at Beaumont locations, while only four have tested positive so far.
If medical staff determine a patient needs to be tested, a specimen is collected and sent to a lab for testing. At this time, Beaumont is unable to process COVID-19 testing on-site.
Other hospitals across the state have also introduced curbside testing, including McLaren Macomb Hospital in Mount Clemens, Henry Ford Allegiance Hospital in Jackson, and Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids.
Michael Schu, who works in health care, waited in line outside McLaren Macomb to be sure he's not spreading to patients and other workers.
"We're being proactive and I'm happy we are because it could be a major crisis. I think the more we do preemptively to mitigate the spike, the better off we will be," he told WWJ's Ron Dewey.
Curbside testing comes as the virus continues to spread in Michigan, with more than 50 confirmed cases in the state.
>>> Coronavirus In Michigan: What You Need To Know Monday, March 16