Pontiac Times

COVID-19 testing in Michigan has increased by more than 50% in the past week, according to Bridge Michigan.

The state has an average of almost 53,000 tests being performed daily -- an increase from 35,000 several weeks ago. This is a result of Michiganders trying to get tested for the virus before visiting loved ones on Thanksgiving. Test results are not immediately available.

“Though Michigan doesn’t track turnaround times, it appears that roughly two weeks before the holiday, it’s already taking three to five days for test results," Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) spokeswoman Lynn Sutfin said, according to Bridge Michigan.

COVID-19 cases in the state have soared along with the testing demand. Positive test results have risen to 14%. 

“The state’s testing capacity is being overwhelmed as the virus spreads out of control,” MDHHS Deputy Director Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, who is also the state’s chief medical executive, told Bridge Michigan. “We're incredibly concerned about what was happening with our testing capacity across the state.” 

Testing and contact tracing, two of the best tools for tracking and controlling the spread of the virus, were extremely affected by the demand increase, according to Khaldun. The delays caused only 28% of Michiganders to be quarantined at the time of diagnosis.

“This means that over two-thirds of the positive cases are out and potentially spreading the virus to others,” she said, according to Bridge Michigan.

Public health officials are warning Thanksgiving travelers that negative results do not lessen the importance of maintaining safety protocols when exposed to people outside their own household. A significant percentage of false-negative results are still produced, and even if the result is accurate, it only shows your status at a specific time and day.

Michiganders, including college students who will return home, are encouraged to self-quarantine for 14 days before seeing others to ensure that they are not affected by the virus.

“If they haven’t been quarantining, wearing masks, etc., prior to travel, then it’s possible they could become infected between the time they are tested and get their results and traveling to a family gathering,” Sutfin told Bridge Michigan.