FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MDHHS partnering with libraries across the state to offer free at-home testing kits for Michiganders

Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 14, 2022 CONTACT: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112, SutfinL1@michian.gov MDHHS partnering with libraries across the state to offer free at-home testing kits for Michiganders  LANSING, Mich. – To help provide additional testing resources to underserved areas of the state, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is partnering on a pilot project with libraries across the state to offer free, at-home testing kits for Michiganders. "We are continuing to find innovative ways to provide Michiganders with opportunities to protect themselves from COVID-19," said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. "Testing is an important tool to limit the spread of the virus and we encourage residents to visit participating library locations to get their test kit." This week, nearly 5,500 test kits were shipped to 18 libraries in Calhoun, Clare, Newaygo, Oceana and Saginaw counties and the City of Detroit. Each site received 300 COVID-19 at-home test kits that each include one test. Additional kits will be shipped to these sites as needed and more libraries will be added to the distribution in the coming weeks. Information will be posted at Michigan.gov/coronavirus. Demand for test kits is high across the state and country, especially as Michigan experiences another wave of COVID-19 infections. This initial distribution of tests to select library branches will inform MDHHS' approach to formalizing and sustaining the project going forward in partnership with the Michigan Library Association. "This partnership is just one more tool to keep our school communities safe," said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan's chief medical executive. "Along with the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine, mask wearing and social distancing, take-home testing allows Michiganders easy access to testing."   "With the proper protocols for distribution and pickup in place, we believe that this will be a great opportunity for libraries that want to participate to get involved as distribution points in their communities," said Deborah E. Mikula, executive director of the Michigan Library Association. "Many of our libraries are ready to provide access to these test kits for our most vulnerable citizens and have been asking for some time how to get involved." Test kits are limited at each location and are available on a first come, first served basis. Michiganders are asked to take one kit per person, up to five per household. To obtain a test kit, visit the following libraries during business hours. County City Library Address Calhoun Homer Homer Public Library 141 West Main Street Clare Clare Pere Marquette District Library 185 East Fourth Street Clare Farwell Surrey Township Public Library 105 East Michigan Street Clare Harrison Harrison District Library 105 East Main Street Newaygo Hesperia Hesperia Community Library 80 South Division Street Newaygo White Cloud White Cloud Community Library 1038 Wilcox Avenue Oceana Hart Hart Area Public Library 415 South State Street Oceana Pentwater Pentwater Township Library 402 East Park Street Saginaw Frankenmuth James E. Wickson Memorial Library 359 South Franklin Street Wayne Detroit Detroit Public Library 5201 Woodward Avenue Wayne Detroit Detroit Public Library - Campbell 8733 Vernor Highway Wayne Detroit Detroit Public Library - Edison 18400 Joy Road Wayne Detroit Detroit Public Library - Jefferson 12350 East Outer Drive Wayne Detroit Detroit Public Library - Parkman 1766 Oakman Boulevard Wayne Detroit Detroit Public Library - Redford 21200 Grand River Wayne Detroit Detroit Public Library - Wilder 7140 East 7 Mile Road Wayne Detroit Detroit Mobile Library Various locations Wayne Taylor Taylor Community Library 12303 Pardee Road To help provide access to testing, in 2021:The test kits are in addition to the MI Backpack Home Tests, a voluntary program, which parents, students and staff can sign up to take home COVID-19 test kits. MDHHS has provided nearly 175,000 kits to schools to distribute to participants.   Nearly 4.6 million rapid antigen tests were distributed by MDHHS to partners. More than 2.6 million to schools and for school-based and sports-based testing. Nearly 554,000 to Department of Corrections. More than 912,000 to long-term care facilities. In 2021, there have been 5,731 testing events at points of entry, community or neighborhood sites where 323,082 tests have been conducted. We continue to work with Community Action Agencies across the state and have delivered more than 8,000 over-the-counter tests through this partnership. To find a testing site near you, visit Search Results (solvhealth.com). In addition, community popup testing sites are listed at Coronavirus - Community Based Pop-Up Rapid Antigen Testing Events (michigan.gov), which includes testing at welcome centers, airports and 22 neighborhood testing sites across the state. # # #  MI Library Testing pilot.pdf   Become a foster parent through Michigan Department of Health & Human Services foster care program. 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