Drive Thru Testing Begins Today at Center for Family Health

(April 13, 2020 8:38 AM) The Center for Family Health will expand COVID-19 testing resources available in Jackson County by providing a drive through testing system starting Monday, April 13.

“We are pleased to help address the need for additional testing here in our community,” said Molly Kaser, President and CEO of the Center for Family Health.  “We know this will help us understand how far the virus has spread, and knowing that will allow healthcare organizations like ours to better plan and address this issue here in Jackson,” Kaser said.

People who believe they may need testing for coronavirus disease should call the Center for Family Health at 517-748-5500. Callers will discuss their symptoms and risk factors with medical providers.

If screening indicates testing is needed, appointments will be set for patients to use a drive-through lane in the CFH parking lot at 505 N. Jackson Street, Jackson. Testing will be done under a large tent. People with testing appointments can either drive or walk up for their appointments.

CFH is closely coordinating with Henry Ford Allegiance Health to make sure both facilities use the same testing criteria, Kaser said. Center for Family Health patients and the general public are welcome to use either system, she said.

Previously, the Center for Family Health had very limited access to COVID-19 testing supplies and, as a result, did few tests, Kaser said.

Testing supplies and a lab to run tests will now be available thanks to a plan forged by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Michigan Primary Care Association, a statewide organization of community health centers such as the Center for Family Health.

By expanding testing to community health centers, health officials hope to ease the burden on Michigan hospitals and to also better track how many people may have COVID-19 with symptoms too mild to require hospital care. That information will give a more complete picture of how far the disease has spread, which will help determine when the state can be safely reopened to normal business.