DETROIT (WXYZ) — The city of Detroit will be the first to have specific test kits that could have results in minutes.
Normally, the swab tests take days to yield results.
Testing with these kits begin today but only for Detroit police, first responders and bus drivers.
Working outside of @detroitpolice after @MayorMikeDuggan announced Detroit will be the first city to have #COVID19 test kits that deliver results in 15 MINUTES!
— Syma Chowdhry (@SymaChowdhry) April 2, 2020
Those tests will be reserved for the city’s first responders.
We are live starting at 5:30am. pic.twitter.com/Ne54609rsZ
Instead of waiting days to get results to find out if you have the coronavirus — you get results in 15 minutes.
And the interesting thing about these test kits is that they can show positive results even before someone shows symptoms.
“Detroit will be the first city in the country to use the 15 minute testing," said Mayor Mike Duggan.
Waiting for any health test result can be nerve-wrecking, but when it comes to coronavirus — knowing if you’re infected can help save lives while protecting others.
On Thursday, Detroit will begin using these special tests on police, EMS, firefighters and the city’s bus drivers.
The test results are delivered in minutes and infected patients can be identified before they show any symptoms.
The men and women on the frontlines in Detroit have been hit hard.
Take a look at these numbers:
- 91 Detroit Police Department employers have tested positive for COVID-19, that includes Police Chief James Craig.
- That number breaks down to: 75 officers and 15 other employees.
- 17 Detroit Fire Department employees have also tested positive.
- Those in quarantine include: 525 police officers and 146 fire department workers.
At a press conference Wednesday, Mayor Duggan said they are checking fire and police employees everyday to see if they have a fever — just one of the symptoms of COVID-19.
“We put a thermometer on everyone, Detroit Police and Fire coming to work," Duggan said. "I got two alerts this morning. We had one officer came in over 100 degrees and one firefighter who came in over 100 degrees and immediately sent them home."
120 officers who were quarantined have now returned to work.
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
Read our daily Coronavirus Live Blog for the latest updates and news on coronavirus.
Click here for a page with resources including a COVID-19 overview from the CDC, details on cases in Michigan, a timeline of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's orders since the outbreak, coronavirus' impact on Southeast Michigan, and links to more information from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC and the WHO.
View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.
Find out how you can help metro Detroit restaurants struggling during the pandemic.
See all of our Helping Each Other stories.
See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.