Another change is in place to expand who can get a test for coronavirus in Michigan. The state’s chief medical officer, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, explained part of a new executive order fro Governor Whitmer.
“No one needs a doctor’s order before they can go to a testing site,” said Khaldun on Tuesday. “Nurses, pharmacists, and physician’s assistants are now able to administer a test without a doctor’s order.”
The new order also opens up testing to anyone who has to leave home to go to work. CVS is also going to be expanding how many of its stores will be doing testing, and Aetna Better Health of Michigan CEO Beverly Allen says CVS will start testing soon at 16 more stores.
“Testing will take place at drive-thru windows, not inside our stores, which will remain open to customers,” said Allen.
Tuesday’s move is the latest bid to expand COVID-19 testing, which is seen as a critical to slowing the virus. Previously, most people needed an order from a health care provider, though a site at the old state fairgrounds in Detroit provides tests to anyone, even without a note or symptoms. Also Tuesday, a Detroit-area hospital network said it had under 100 COVID-19 patients for the first time in more than two months.
