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Detroit mayor announces plan to boost COVID testing efforts amid surge

First-grader Martin Domingos receives a COVID-19 rapid antigen test on Monday, Jan. 3, at Eastside Early College High School in Austin as he prepares to return to in-person learning. (Jordan Vonderhaar For The Texas Tribune, Jordan Vonderhaar For The Texas Tribune)

DETROIT – With COVID-19 spreading rapidly throughout Detroit, Mayor Mike Duggan held a news conference Wednesday afternoon to announce the city’s effort to ramp up virus testing.

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Here’s what you missed: Detroit ramps up COVID testing at 2 sites to address virus surge

Duggan and Detroit health officials announced an increase in COVID testing in response to an ongoing coronavirus surge across the city and the state. Likely partly driven by the new, highly contagious omicron COVID variant, the city of Detroit was reportedly seeing a COVID infection rate of 36% as of last week.

Related: City of Detroit works to clear up misinformation on cost of COVID rapid tests

The announcement comes as many regions across the U.S. struggle with a shortage of COVID testing options amid increased demand during and following the holidays.

The state of Michigan on Monday reported its second-largest daily case average since the start of the pandemic. The state’s 7-day positive test rate jumped up to 29.93% as of Jan. 3, and COVID hospitalizations are once again on the rise.

In response, Detroit public schools have shifted to virtual learning through Jan. 14 to help prevent more infections.


Related: Nearly 700 Henry Ford employees test positive for COVID as hospitalization rates increase


About the Author
Cassidy Johncox headshot

Cassidy Johncox is a senior digital news editor covering stories across the spectrum, with a special focus on politics and community issues.

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