Thursday, December 24, 2020

Testing for virus now available

Testing for COVID-19 is now available to the public in both Wayne and Westland.

The cities have cooperated with Wayne County to provide the testing sites in an effort to reach the goal of 8,000 tests each day.

In Wayne, the cost-free testing with reportedly shorter waiting times is open at the HYPE Recreation Center from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Saturdays. The athletic center is located at 4635 Howe Road in Wayne.

In Westland, testing will take place in the parking lot at the Westland Friendship Center, located at 1119 Newburgh Road. Residents will have no out of pocket expenses for testing. However, if insurance information is available, it will be collected for the laboratory testing fees.

  There is no pre-registration or appointment needed, officials said. Minors must be accompanied by a parents or guardian and patients can expect to receive their results within 2-3 days, which will be shared via email, phone call or text message. 

The Westland COVID-19 testing is open from 9 a.m.until7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. unto 3 p.m. on Saturday.There is no residency requirement for the testing.

Health professionals advised individuals not to take any fever reducing medications prior to testing. When arriving at the drive thru clinic, individuals should have a form of identification ready. Visitors are asked that they leave their car windows up until asked to lower them. 

In Wayne, both drive-through and inside testing is available. Individuals older than 5 are eligible to be tested, but must be accompanied by an adult. There is no doctor's order or pre-registration necessary. As in Westland, there is no cost but if insurance information is available, it will be collected.

“With the uptick in COVID-19 cases so close to the holidays, our public health teams have stepped up its effort to offer more testing opportunities to keep families safe,” said Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans.

Individuals who may be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms are encouraged to get tested and quarantine until test results are received. Symptoms can develop up to 14 days after exposure to the virus, health professionals said.