DEARBORN, Mich. (WXYZ) — Ford Motor Company, Wayne State University and the Wayne State University Physician Group (WSUPG) have teamed up to launch a new mobile testing initiative that will provide COVID-19 testing for symptomatic first responders, health care workers and corrections officers in Michigan.
A first of its kind in the state, the group says. Ford is providing vehicles, drivers and equipment to help create the first mobile testing service in Michigan.
The new mobile testing centers are being rolled out using Lincoln Navigators that are fully-equipped for mobile COVID-19 testing, with staff and medical kits provided by WSU.
Each vehicle will be capable of testing as many as 100 people a day, with test results returned within 24 to 36 hours. Clinicians and professionals from the WSUPG and ACCESS will conduct the testing. The free tests do not require a prescription from a physician.
In addition, Ford’s in-house incubator, Ford X, is providing drivers from the Lincoln Personal Driver pilot service, and is equipping them with tents, sanitation, power and Wi-Fi to support the testing service.
The new mobile testing program will begin in Southeast Michigan, and is expected to branch out to other regions of the state including Battle Creek, Lansing and Grand Rapids. The group says testing will take place as long as the virus continues to impact communities.
In addition to the mobile testing initiative, Ford has already produced more than 3 million face shields in Plymouth, Mich., and Ford-designed powered air-purifying respirator production started this week.
Ford is also now producing face masks and leading an effort to scale production of reusable gowns for health care workers with more the 5,000 gowns already supplied to Beaumont Health in metropolitan Detroit.
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