COVID testing wait times on the rise

The wait times for people getting tested for COVID-19 are getting longer, according to a report on MLive.

As the rate of new infections surges across the state, the demand for testing has also increased. That has led some testing sites to report wait times that can last hours during the busiest parts of the day.

Michigan reported a record 67,354 COVID-19 tests were conducted in the state on Wednesday. More than 12% of those came back positive indicating an increasing rise in the number of infections in the state.

“We’re seeing wait times significantly longer than a month ago, but still sooner than others,” said Dr. James Richard, lab director for Sparrow Health System. “I know individuals who are looking 6-7 days out to get an appointment at places that require a doctor’s order.”

Kalamazoo County currently has nine testing sites, according to the state’s testing locator. Some require appointments while others allow walk-up or drive-through testing without a doctor’s order.

You can read more here.