DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is disputing reports — from the public and in the media — that it's difficult for Detroiters to get tested for COVID-19.
At a news conference Friday, Duggan said it's simply not true that it's hard to get a prescription for a test; but you do have to have symptoms.
"You get your prescription from your doctor," Duggan said. "They aren't that hard; we've got 4,000 appointments already. Somebody telling you it's hard to get a prescription — it is not — but you do have to have symptoms."
"We don't give prescriptions to people who don't have symptoms. That's a state mandate," the mayor said. "But if you've got a cough, if you've got shortness of breath, if you've got a fever, you can get a prescription."
Don't have a doctor? The city has posted a list of doctors in Detroit who are currently accepting new patients; including patients who are uninsured. See the list here.
Another complaint Duggan said he's hearing is that the city is doing drive-thru testing, and many residents don't have cars.
Duggan said Detroit residents who don't have vehicles need to let the operator know when they call (313-230-0505) for their test appointment. In that case, a ride will be booked through Intelliride. Before your appointment time, he said, a car will pick you up.
The rides cost $2, but Duggan said people will not be turned away for inability to pay.
"It will be sanitized car. You'll be asked to put on a mask before you get in the car, the driver will have a mask," Duggan said."They will take you up to the Fairgrounds, you will get tested, and the driver will take you right back home."
This comes after Rep. Sherry Gay-Dagnago of Detroit told WWJ's Charlie Langton she believes the prescription requirement is causing problems, and she'd like the city to relax it. "We applaud the state for their effort, but as you know, people have gone there and they've been turned away," Gay-Dagnago said. (Read more here).
Here are the details from the City of Detroit considering COVID-19 testing:
Drive-thru testing is taking place at the Joe Dumars Fieldhouse at the former Michigan State Fairgrounds at 8 Mile Rd. and Woodward Ave.. The entrance to the testing site is at East State Fair across from Bauman Avenue. Beginning Wednesday, April 1, 2020, testing hours for the drive-thru will be 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Who can go to the CCCN drive thru testing site?
- Individuals who have received a testing order from their doctor and have a scheduled appointment with the CCCN Call Center can get tested. Find a doctor.
- COVID-19 testing will be available to any resident of the tri-county region (Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb County).
Steps to Get Tested
- Contact your doctor if you believe you have COVID-19, are showing symptoms or have come in contact with an infected person
- Your doctor will schedule an appointment for you and call in a prescription for a test if they believe you have COVID-19
- OR Your doctor will give you a written prescription to receive a test and instruct you to make an appointment through the CCCN Call Center
How to make an appointment
- Call the Coronavirus Community Care Network at 313-230-0505, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Monday – Sunday
- Bring with you a valid ID and any written testing order or prescription from your doctor.
Get more details at https://detroitmi.gov/
