Morning 4 is a quick roundup of stories we think you should know about to start your day.

Genetic testing is a proactive approach in the fight against cancer and in cancer prevention, whether there’s a family history of cancer or not.

Community members living in the 48197, 48198, 48103, 48104, 48105, 48108, and 48109 zipcode areas can order testing kits once in July and August.

To help, Brita Water Care for Daycares will deliver Brita lead-filtering systems to up to 1,500 daycares across the country for free.

HPAI continues to spread within Washtenaw County bird populations and around Michigan.

With new case numbers only being reported once a week, as well as the growth in at-home testing that usually goes unreported.

The SAT exam will move from paper and pencil to a digital format, administrators announced Tuesday, saying the shift will boost its relevancy as more colleges make standardized tests optional for admission.

Federal officials are withdrawing the mandate that requires either COVID vaccination or regular testing and masking for workers of larger companies.

Between 9 a.m. and noon, the National Guard will be at Pioneer High School helping to test AAPS community members who register for the event.

The NHL and NHLPA announced Tuesday they have agreed to stop testing asymptomatic players and staff members for COVID-19 after the All-Star break.

On Friday, Washtenaw County Health Department officials urged community members to use available strategies to prevent cases of severe illness and reduce transmission.

Michigan is partnering with 18 libraries to test a pilot program that offers free at-home COVID tests to residents.

The city of Detroit is planning to offer 1,000 COVID-19 testing appointments each day to residents and workers in an effort to curb coronavirus spread.

Michigan COVID-19 testing: Where to find community sites, drive-thru sites and more, plus, what to do with your at-home test results.

All Detroit schools will be closed through Wednesday during the first week of January so that teachers and staff can be tested for COVID-19 amid a statewide spike in cases.

Michigan COVID-19 testing: Where to find community sites, drive-thru sites and more, plus, what to do with your at-home test results.

Michigan COVID-19 testing: Where to find community sites, drive-thru sites and more, plus, what to do with your at-home test results.

The Canadian government is reinstating testing requirements for vaccinated travelers returning to the country after short foreign trips:

The Canadian government is reinstating testing requirements for vaccinated travelers returning to the country after short foreign trips.

Clients will now retrieve their own nasal swab collection kit and consent from an outdoor cabinet at the front of the building when they go for COVID-19 testing at the St. Clair County Health Department.

Holiday season could strain COVID-19 home test supplies as more Americans try to screen themselves before Thanksgiving and other family gatherings.

The Biosciences Initiative award will create the new Michigan Center for Infectious Disease Threats.

Protest group By Any Means Necessary (BAMN) announced that it plans to sue Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration and Detroit Public Schools Community District, demanding the state to implement vaccine requirements in schools.

Here we are tracking the coronavirus in Michigan.

With more school outbreaks reported, students are being told to quarantine. However, some districts are trying to find a way to keep kids in the classroom.

The St. Clair County Health Department is suspending COVID-19 rapid PCR testing for Canadian and other travelers "due to limitations in testing supplies" the department announced Wednesday.

The state assessment results come after a year and a half of disrupted learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Starting Monday, unvaccinated students who attend at least one class with an on-campus component must undergo weekly COVID testing.

The pandemic has made us extra cautious about cleanliness, and hotel rooms were a breeding ground for germ concerns even before it hit. So how clean are they now?

Michigan has started reporting COVID-19 test turnaround times in labs across the state.

Senior Alex Hughes will not only be walking into his high school a few more times this year, after graduating, he’s off to Harvard University -- his dream school -- with a perfect SAT score.

Lab technicians are often an unseen force in the fight against COVID-19.

Read, run or walk each day during the Family Learning Institute's fundraiser.

Attorneys for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration are defending coronavirus tests for young athletes.

The first day of SAT testing was set for Tuesday. However, the call for voluntary 2-week pause has led to confusion among Michigan students, parents and schools.

The U.S. Department of Education has denied Michigan’s request to waive the federal requirement to administer the state summative assessments, the Michigan Department of Education announced Tuesday.

The U.S. Department of Education has denied Michigan’s request to waive the federal requirement to administer the state summative assessments, the Michigan Department of Education announced Tuesday.

Michigan officials are ramping up COVID-19 testing at nursing homes, schools and airports as the number of cases spreading throughout the state continues to rise. More than 72,000 free tests have been conducted at neighborhood testing sites in socially vulnerable communities and continue to provide testing . Free post-spring break testing pop-up sites are planned for school districts in 34 communities. Testing sites at welcome centers and Michigan airports are in the works for returning travelers. Vaccine providers with the capacity to vaccinate all individuals ages 16 years and older are allowed do so at this time, state officials said.

(AP Photo/Michael Sohn, FILE)Moderna Inc. announced Tuesday it has started testing its mRNA-1273 vaccine candidate against COVID-19 in children ages 6 months to less than 12 years old. This is part of Moderna’s Phase 2/3 vaccine study called “KidCOVE” in which is intends to enroll about 6,750 pediatric participants in theU.S. Such trials in children already were underway in children aged 12 to 15. Both Pfizer and Moderna have started these trials and expect to have results from their trials in older children this summer. A vaccine for younger children has not been expected ready until early next year (2022).

DETROIT – Educators in Michigan are dealing with concerns about standardized testing during the COVID-19 pandemic. READ: More than 80% of Michigan schools offering in-person instructionThat decision has sent state educators back to the drawing board. They said there are pros and cons when it comes to standardized testing. There is a need to make sure that all students, no matter their situation and standardized testing can give a glimpse into if students are getting an equal education. Educators said losing standardized testing could harm poor, disadvantaged students and minority students.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – On Sunday, community members can be tested for the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 for free at Pioneer High School. Testing will be done from noon to 4 p.m. through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests at a drive-thru testing site. More: See how the PCR test works here. Those going to the drive-thru should enter the Pioneer parking lot from Main Street and should not line up before the event starts. The testing site is supported by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, HONU Management Group, Ann Arbor Public Schools and Washtenaw County Health Department.

Panama is waiting for its first shipment of doses of the vaccine against the new coronavirus, expected next week. (AP Photo/Arnulfo Franco)PLYMOUTH, Mich. – Rapid drive-thru COVID-19 testing will now be available at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth. RapidBio, a molecular diagnostics laboratory, is partnering with the arena and Wayne Health to provide drive-through collection and rapid test results for COVID-19. “This new partnership allows us to provide results to our patients faster than ever before,” explained Phillip Levy, M.D., M.P.H., who leads the Mobile COVID Testing Program for Wayne Health. “The sooner people know their COVID status, the quicker they can take the necessary steps to keep themselves safe and stop the spread.”USA Hockey Arena is located at 14900 Beck Rd., Plymouth, MI 48170.

The percent of positive tests (as shown by the red line in the chart above) remained flat for weeks since June -- between 3 and 4 percent -- while the number of test results reported increased steadily. The percent of positive went above 5% in October and then went above 14% in November.

DETROIT – The FDA’s vaccine advisory committee spoke at length about the ethics of what should happen to those that took the placebo in Pfizer’s vaccine trial. RELATED: Michigan plans for COVID-19 vaccine: What to expect nextShould they now be permitted to get the actual vaccine? Local 4 assignment editor Matt Triplett said he’s ecstatic that Pfizer’s vaccine will soon be available for the first groups of high-priority Americans. Essentially, everyone in the trial is vaccinated again with those who got the placebo the first time getting the vaccine and vice-versa. It doesn’t just impact Pfizer’s trial.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The Washtenaw County Health Department is offering contactless drive-thru COVID-19 saliva testing. Testing is at the parking lot of the 2|42 Community Church, 648 S. Wagner Road in Ann Arbor. The county has partnered with LynxDx to offer the test from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 3-7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Our COVID-19 Data section tracks many of the key data points health officials are watching closely every single day. Track key COVID-19 data points in Michigan:

Michigan health officials have repeatedly said the positivity rate of COVID-19 tests in the state needs to remain below 3% to show that the spread of the virus is under control. As of this weekend, the state’s 7-day moving average for COVID tests positivity rate was 13.21%, far higher than where state health officials want it to be. Michigan’s COVID tests positivity rate has not been below 3% since early October. Gretchen Whitmer noted in an interview with Local 4 that the 3% benchmark will be important in deciding when to lift new COVID restrictions that go into effect this week. Whitmer said the positivity rate will have to fall below 3% during the three-week period of stricter measures to stop the spread before restrictions could be lifted.

White House Coronavirus Task Force coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx said the amount of asymptomatic spread is large. “When you start to look at this college data, it may be up to 80% of individuals under 30 are asymptomatic," Birx said. "And we’re still getting the data from all of the colleges.”The CDC said understanding and tracking positive test rates by age group could help public health officials identify future hotspots and better prevent and prepare for a rise in COVID-19 cases. “The way you find that is the way the universities are finding it -- regular testing," Birx said. "If you wait until people have symptoms, you’ve waited too long because there’s so much asymptomatic spread before that.”As temperatures get cooler, health officials are reminding everyone to keep wearing masks, social distancing and washing their hands.

DETROIT – Throughout the pandemic, the White House has relied on rapid testing to protect the president from the coronavirus. If you layer the precautions on top of each other, you can block most of the holes. But if you rely on a single layer the virus can easily slip through. Rapid tests in particular tend to have a higher rate of “false negatives.” That’s when someone tests negative, but are actually positive. For those two reasons relying on frequent testing alone leaves holes the virus can slip through.

DETROIT – From the beginning of the pandemic, testing for the coronavirus (COVID-19) has been a challenge for hospitals. Before COVID-19, when hospitals ran low on supplies, they would simply order more from their usual vendor. The Henry Ford Health System runs more than 1,500 COVID-19 tests each day, so keeping supplies in stock is a challenge. Flu season will put even more strain on labs when they have to test for both the flu and COVID-19. Any combined flu and COVID-19 test will have its own set of supply requirements specific to the testing method, so do-it-yourself solutions will be limited.

These agreements cover more than 92% of the commercial health insurance market in Michigan. Insurers who have agreed to waive cost-sharing:· Aetna Better Health of Michigan· Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Blue Care Network· HAP, Alliance Health· Humana· McLaren Health Plan· Meridian Health Plan· Molina Healthcare Michigan· Paramount Care of Michigan· Physicians Health Plan (PHP)· Priority Health, Priority Health Insurance Co.· Total Health CareThe waived cost-sharing applies to commercial health insurance products from the insurers named in the state agreement. Consumers seeking COVID-19 testing or treatment should contact their insurance company to find out about their coverage. Insured consumers who pay up front or receive a bill for COVID-19 testing or treatment should contact their insurance company for assistance. In addition, the Michigan Health Insurance Consumer Assistance Program can provide shopping tips and help answer questions about health insurance including Special Enrollment Periods for those experiencing job loss or an income reduction.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued an emergency order Monday requiring coronavirus (COVID-19) testing of employees at five MDHHS-operated psychiatric hospitals and centers. Under the order, testing is required for staff at the Center for Forensic Psychiatry in Saline, Hawthorn Center in Northville, Caro Center, Walter Reuther Psychiatric Hospital in Westland and Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital. Facilities with positive cases identified in the last 14 days must test all staff scheduled to work that week until no positive cases among patients or staff have been identified within the last 14 days. Previous confirmed positive cases do not need to be tested again for 90 days after the initial positive test. “MDHHS believes that COVID-19 testing is one of the best tools we have in limiting its spread,” Gordon said in a press release.

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Michigan health officials announced on Tuesday that the state would no longer be reporting COVID-19 data on Sundays, starting this weekend. Beginning Sunday, Sept. 6, data on cases, deaths and testing will be reported Monday Saturday. If you follow the COVID-19 data closely, you have probably noticed lower cases reported on Sunday -- and at times, on Monday -- due to a lower volume of tests being reported from labs on weekends. This change will allow staff who have not had a real day off since February to get some relief and allow the department to prioritize more valuable data reporting, including school outbreak information.Sunday and Monday data will both be reported on Mondays, including Labor Day. MDHHS says this change will not affect the departments ability to provide onset date information for COVID-19 cases.

DETROIT – As students in some states head back to in-person school, a recent series of reports show the number of COVID-19 cases in children and teens is climbing. Aug. 26, 2020: Michigan coronavirus (COVID-19) cases up to 99,200; Death toll now at 6,424While most children will have mild forms of illness -- and hospitalizations and fatalities among children are still rare -- some will face serious health complications. The American Academy of Pediatrics found cases among children went up 21% between Aug. 6 and 20. “This tells us that children do get this disease,” said Dr. Sally Goza, president of American Academy of Pediatrics. Dr. Guliz Erdem has treated confirmed and suspected cases at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Ohio.

DETROIT Some people who have been exposed to COVID-19 may no longer need to be tested for the virus. Aug. 26, 2020: Michigan coronavirus (COVID-19) cases up to 99,200; Death toll now at 6,424Previously the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended testing for all close contacts of persons with SARS-CoV-2 infection. New guidelines from the CDC claim those who have been exposed, but dont have symptoms might not need to be tested. Testing after a potential exposure is still recommended regardless of symptoms for vulnerable individuals -- such as older adults and anyone with chronic medical conditions. The update does not reference quarantine or isolation after an exposure, but the CDC still recommends it.

Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order Saturday requiring jails and prisons to test inmates for COVID-19 when they enter, transfer from or are released from their facilities. The order also requires jails to adopt testing protocols comparable to those at the Michigan Department of Corrections before they can transfer prisoners to state facilities. By reducing the spread of COVID-19 in prisons and jails, we protect corrections officers and their families, incarcerated people, and the whole community, Whitmer said. The state will provide support for testing by jails through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, it said. The order was issued as the Department of Corrections deals with 435 active COVID-19 cases, its largest spike since the spring.

The city of Warren is set to host a free drive-thru and walk up COVID-19 testing event on Thursday August 6th. The event is held in partnership with WSU, WSUPG and the Macomb County Health Department. Testing will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Warren City Hall(1 City Square). The test will reveal whether or not you currently have COVID-19. According to the citys website there are only 200 testing spots available due to limited testing supplies.

Test takers were interrupted Tuesday when the Michigan Bar Exam, which is being taken entirely online this year, experienced some kind of technical glitch.The Michigan Supreme Court announced in May that the bar would be changing from a traditional two-day format bar examination this year in favor of a single-day, essay-only, remote option amid the coronavirus pandemic. A technical glitch with passwords for the Michigan Bar Exam has been resolved. Test takers are being emailed passwords and the test day will be extended to allow for the delay for some test takers to access the second module. ADA participants were not affected reads a tweet at 11:49 a.m. from the Michigan Supreme Court. The State Bar of Michigan said the 15-question essay exam would cover both state and federal law topics similar to those that would be addressed in the 200-question Multistate Bar Exam, which it said cannot be administered online this year.

LTS has posted the following job for the Detroit region:Regional Director - COVID Testing Site Michigan (Detroit area)Travel Required -80%This is a 6 month position. LTS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or protected veteran status, or any other legally protected basis, in accordance with applicable law. Supervisory Responsibilities:Works closely with scheduler, facilities team, Site Manager and Executive teamManage vendors and team members as needed for set up of static testing sitesWill manage multiple teams and projects simultaneouslyQualifications:3-5 years Project Management experience requiredExperience with managing multiple teams and projects simultaneouslyExceptional organizational skills and a demonstrated ability to prioritize and move forward multiple projects simultaneouslyExcellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to lead nuanced communication with vendors as well as state and local government officialsDemonstrated ability to execute key purchasing, personnel, and operations decisions autonomously and in communication with Executive TeamStrong Microsoft office, Teams skills a plusAbility to travel to multiple COVId-19 testing sites (-80% travel required)Operational background would be a plusDuties/Responsibilities:

As of this report, there are 23 coronavirus vaccines being tested in humans. Researchers cannot deliberately expose people, so the vaccines are tested in places where the virus is circulating at higher levels in the community. Related: First COVID-19 vaccine tested in US poised for final testingIf a large number of participants are naturally exposed, researchers could have their answer fairly quickly. However, if that doesnt happen there are people signing up to step in and volunteer to become exposed. They are agreeing to participate in challenge trials.Right now, researchers believe they can test the virus vaccines without these challenge trials due to the number of hot spots around the country and world.

They said its vaccine induced antibody responses in all 45 participants in the first phase of testing. Related: First COVID-19 vaccine tested in US poised for final testingAccording to the New England Journal of Medicine, each participant received two vaccinations, 28 days apart. The researched said all participants developed neutralizing antibodies after the second dose. The study said antibodies were up to four times the amount found in patients who have recovered from COVID-19. Our vaccine generates neutralizing antibodies to levels that seem to be higher than what you get with a typical infection, said Dr. Tal Zaks, Moderna Chief Medical Officer.

DETROIT – Michigan has ramped up testing in recent weeks, but how has that impacted the positive test rate? In the last two weeks, the average positive test rate was 3.1 percent. Between June 14 - June 28, the positive test rate was 2.4 percent. (MDHHS)So, testing has increased, along with the positive test rate. Despite the increases in cases, it’s a far cry from rates in early-to-mid April, when positive test rates were 30 percent.

DETROIT – They are true front line heroes who come into contact with COVID-19 every single day. Most of the people at the State Fairgrounds testing site in Detroit are volunteers who choose to be there to help. June 25, 2020 update: Michigan coronavirus (COVID-19) cases up to 62,306, Death toll now at 5,886When coronavirus first became a problem in Michigan, a testing site was opened in March at the State Fairgrounds. The testing never would have been possible if it weren’t for the volunteers that stepped up. More information on coronavirus (COVID-19):

DETROIT – Michigan has officially surpassed one million total tests, according to data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. As of June 20, Michigan reported 1,065,902 total tests -- 923,961 diagnostic tests and 141,941 serology (anti-body) tests. On April 21, Michigan reported 121,298 total tests, which was the 11th most total tests in the U.S. But when compared to tests per 1 million (population), Michigan was 25th, with 12,182 tests at that rate. Now, as of June 22, Michigan ranks 12th in testing rate and 7th in total tests in the U.S., according to WorldOMeters.

DETROIT – Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan will hold a press conference at 2 p.m. Monday. Duggan is speaking about high car insurance rates and providing an update on the coronavirus pandemic along with protests against police brutality. You can watch the press conference in the video player above.

LANSING, Mich. The Michigan National Guard will continue its partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan State Police, and local health departments to offer COVID-19 testing this weekend in Branch, Chippewa, Gratiot, Marquette, Muskegon, Newago, Schoolcraft, and Wayne counties. The Michigan National Guard has more than 45 trained testing teams ready to assist, of which 21 are currently assigned to support the community testing mission. All team members from the Michigan National Guard have tested negative for COVID-19 and have been following strict medical protocols to ensure health and safety and to protect Michigan communities. These drive-through testing sites will feature additional resources, such as information for those interested in joining the Michigan National Guard and resources for veterans. Whitmers request to extend use of Michigan National Guard

Update June 11, 2020: Michigan coronavirus (COVID-19) cases up to 59,496; Death toll now at 5,738Of the nearly 5,000 sailors on the Roosevelt, 1,102 of them tested positive for COVID-19. About 350 sailors were left in isolation on the naval base after COVID-19 infected a fifth of the ships original crew. Crew members who reported trying to observe social distancing had an infection rate of 55 percent. Those that did not report social distancing had an infection rate of 70 percent. Captain Brett Crozier was among those who tested positive for COVID-19.

PHOENIX – For the second time, Arizona is activating its hospital emergency plan as cases of COVID-19 continue to increase in the state following implementation of their reopening plan. Doug Ducey’s stay-at-home order expired on May 15, COVID-19 cases have soared 110 percent - more than doubling to 27,678, as of Monday, according to NBC affiliate KPNX. The governor said last week that an increase in cases was due to an increase in testing. But ICU and ventilator use are rising in state hospitals. Worldwide, more than 400,000 have died from COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University, including 110,000 in the U.S.

DETROIT Health officials continue to emphasize the need for accurate testing to identify people infected by the coronavirus. But research is calling the accuracy of some tests into question. Two recent papers are highlighting a need to re-examine the accuracy of the nasal swab PCR tests used to identify active infection with COVID-19. On the first day of infection after exposure the false negative rate was 100 percent. After that the false negative rate increased again from 21 percent on day 9 to 66 percent on day 21.

DETROIT CVS Pharmacy has announced new COVID-19 testing sites across Michigan. These new sites will utilize self-swab tests. The self-swab tests will be available to individuals meeting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria, in addition to state and age guidelines. Testing will not take place inside any retail locations, and CVS Pharmacy, HealthHUB and MinuteClinic will continue to serve customers and patients. MORE: Several new and expanded Michigan based drive-thru coronavirus testing sites will speed up results

County Executive David Coulter will unveil the reopening kits and guidance for Oakland County small businesses during a news conference at the warehouse where the kits are being assembled. The county plans to distribute 10,000 kits utilizing Global Office Solutions of Novi and various downtown development authorities, chambers of commerce, Main Street Oakland County communities, municipalities, and more. Watch Live below:

Gretchen Whitmer signed an Executive Order on Tuesday to expand testing for coronavirus (COVID-19) across the state. states that anyone who leaves their home for work, or has symptoms of COVID-19 (even mild symptoms), may receive a test at a community testing location without securing a doctor’s order in advance. Medical personnel will be available to order testing upon arrival. A person who wishes to be tested may call the Michigan coronavirus hotline at 1-888-535-6136 or visit www.michigan.gov/coronavirustest to find an appropriate testing location. “This Executive Order will pave the way for more community testing sites to open as we work towards our goal of 15,000 tests administered daily in Michigan.

Gretchen Whitmer has issued an executive order to make it much easier for residents in the state to get tested for the coronavirus (COVID-19). Whitmer said Michigan is ready to expand COVID-19 testing across the state, so she has modified the testing guidelines. One of the most powerful tools that we have in the fight against the virus was the Weinstein tactic, Whitmer said. We owe it to the real heroes of this crisis -- the front line medical staffers, first responders -- to do what we can to stop the spread of this virus, Whitmer said. Were working incredibly hard to make it easier for everyone to get tested, Whitmer said.

(AP) – An experimental vaccine against the coronavirus showed encouraging results in very early testing, triggering hoped-for immune responses in eight healthy, middle-aged volunteers, its maker announced Monday. The kind of detailed antibody results needed to assess responses are only available on eight volunteers so far. Worldwide, about a dozen vaccine candidates are in the first stages of testing or nearing it. Health officials have said that if all goes well, studies of a potential vaccine might wrap up by very late this year or early next year. ___The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education.

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. – With testing for active coronavirus becoming more readily available, there’s a new push for antibody testing as well. Cities, organizations and employers can request the team to visit; Wednesday they were in Sterling Heights testing essential workers. “What this testing will do is give us a better sense of how many people have been infected by the virus,” said Sterling Heights mayor Michael Taylor. “Maybe there’s an ability to donate blood and plasma to help other people if we were exposed to it,” he said. Again, this testing is being done and paid for by the Wayne State Physicians Group, ACCESS and Ford.

NORTHVILLE TOWNSHIP, Mich. – There’s a lot we don’t know about antibody testing, but one community has decided there’s value in moving forward by testing first responders. First responders still want to be tested and hope that data can lead to more solid answers. Hundreds of first responders were tested for antibodiesBeing tested for coronavirus antibodies at Ward Church in Northville Township on Six Mile Road. "So when this developed, we said we’re in.”These types of antibody testing is occurring all over Metro Detroit. “We have platoons coming in and it makes a lot of sense to have this test," said Northville Township Supervisor Bob Nix.

First responders get tested for antibodies in Northville Township to further understand COVID-19Published: May 14, 2020, 6:30 pmThere’s a lot we don’t know about antibody testing, but one community has decided there’s value in moving forward by testing first responders.

But the first so-called antigen test — announced Saturday by the Food and Drug Administration — is not quite the kind sought by top government health officials. WHY IS ANTIGEN TESTING IMPORTANT? The new test uses a nasal swab like other screening tests, and delivers results in about 15 minutes. OraSure Technologies has a $710,000 federal contract to develop a saliva-based antigen test that could be performed at home. The company has antigen tests for other viruses — including HIV and Ebola — and those have accuracy rates of over 95%.

“Until there is a vaccine, social distancing is really the best and only tool that we have to prevent spread. The federal government is helping the state aim for 30,000 daily coronavirus tests, Foster said. Michigan ranks 18th-highest among states on the number of tests per 1,000 residents, according to an Associated Press analysis of data collected by the COVID Tracking Project. “Aggressive testing, contact tracing and isolation will be the only way we will get ahead of this disease,” Khaldun said. The number of new coronavirus cases in Michigan grew slowly again, rising less than 1% to a total of about 47,500 since March.

DETROIT – Sinai-Grace Hospital is joining a coalition led by the Detroit Association of Black Organizations to offer free coronavirus testing to Detroit residents this weekend. Additionally, the death toll in Detroit from the disease climbed to 1,156. The free testing will be offered at Sheffield Center Complex located at 12048 Grand River in Detroit. Free testing is being offering Saturday, May 9 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and Sunday, May 10 from 12 p.m.-3 p.m. on site. Read More: Michigan coronavirus (COVID-19) cases up to 46,326; Death toll now at 4,393

On Saturday, May 2, the state reported about 23,500 active cases of COVID-19, the lowest such total since April 13. We’ve been tracking the state’s active coronavirus cases right here, giving us a good look at the “curve” along with total COVID-19 cases reported to date in Michigan. The state also reported an additional 7,317 recoveries from the disease as of May 1, bringing the total to 15,659 recoveries from COVID-19 in Michigan. Also on Saturday, the state reported an additional 11,165 COVID-19 test results, of which only 1,127 were positive. Overall, the state of Michigan has reported a total 207,135 COVID-19 test results since April 17.

Published: May 1, 2020, 11:51 amDETROIT – On Friday, Henry Ford Health System provided data chronicling the latest developments in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 Cases as of 10 a.m. Friday:Total number of Henry Ford Health System patients who tested negative: 15,113Total number of Henry Ford Health System patients who tested positive: 6,523Total number of Henry Ford Health System patients currently admitted: 341Total number of Henry Ford Health System patients discharged home in last 30 days: 1,748Average length of stay in hospital by discharge date: 12.5 daysAverage Intensive Care Unit days by discharge date: 13.3 daysThe number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 41,379 as of Friday morning, including 3,789 deaths, state officials report.

Right now, we’re talking about swab testing the back of the nose to find virus particles that are being shed by someone with an active infection. Blood testing for antibodies -- which provides evidence of a prior infection -- isn’t ready for widespread use, but swab testing also has challenges. The first thing you need is a swab, but for the test to work, the swabs have to be specially made. An issue many people have identified is that the swab tests can only tell if a person is shedding virus at the time it’s done. It is only sampling a single point in time, which is also why -- even with widespread testing -- the use of masks, hand washing, and social distancing will not go away.

DEARBORN, Mich. – Mayor John B. O’Reilly Jr., Police Chief Ronald Haddad and the Dearborn Fire Department worked together to get a new testing site in Dearborn up and running. After a lot of teamwork, they came up with the state’s first drive-thru rapid testing site. Inside is room for 200 first responders to stay if they test positive and don’t want to risk spreading the virus to their families. “The city of Dearborn has stepped up to provide not just for their city but for western Wayne County," Gilchrist said. Dearborn officials will continue to work on getting as many tests as they can to test as many first responders as they can.

DETROIT – Michigan health officials say they’re working to reach a goal of 15,000 coronavirus (COVID-19) tests per day, urging residents to get tested. Michigan, which as of April 21 ranked 24th in the U.S. for testing, has expanded the criteria for testing, opening up tests for people with mild symptoms. We encourage you to visit the online test site locator and call the nearest site regarding next steps,” Khaldun said. It is important to contact the testing site before visiting to check on hours and expectations. To find a testing site, visit Michigan.gov/CoronavirusTest.

Michigan reported 999 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, the second straight day showing an increase after several days of slowing growth. Whitmer said the state is increasing testing capacity, with new sites opening across the area this week. Stay-home orderMichigan’s current stay-home order expires on May 1. Whitmer said it’s likely the state will need a short-term extension of the stay-home order, but said she’s working on plans to reopen in phases, and will offer details as soon as Friday. New today: AP-NORC poll: Few Americans support easing virus protections“A second wave would be devastating to our state,” Whitmer said.

While Michigan’s overall tests continue to increase, the rate of testing compared to the population isn’t increasing rapidly. Whitmer points to hopeful signs in Michigan’s COVID-19 fightAs of April 21, Michigan reported 121,298 total tests, which is the 11th most total tests in the U.S. But when compared to tests per 1 million (population), Michigan falls to 25th, with 12,182 tests at that rate. State officials, echoed by many other states, say the federal government needs to play a role in helping states ramp up testing to an acceptable level. Specifically, states say they need help with supplies, like swabs.

The test from LabCorp will initially only be available to health care workers and first responders under a doctor's orders. The sample will still have to be shipped for processing back to LabCorp, which operates diagnostic labs throughout the U.S. Allowing people to self-swab at home would help reduce infection risks for front-line health care workers and help conserve protective gear. If authorized by a physician, LabCorp will ship a testing kit to their home. Those states have laws prohibiting testing with at-home sample collection kits, according to LabCorp.

DEARBORN, Mich. – The Michigan governor announced Tuesday a partnership with CVS Health to provide drive-through rapid COVID-19 testing in Dearborn. Gretchen Whitmer’s office, COVID-19 testing will be conducted in the parking lot of the Henry Ford Centennial Library -- 16301 Michigan Ave. -- at no cost to eligible Michiganders. Testing will be conducted using the new Abbot ID NOW™ COVID-19 test, which recently received emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for the fastest detection of the virus. Patients are required to stay in their vehicles at the testing site. The testing process takes about 30 minutes from the collection of the swab to the delivery of results.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is expanding testing criteria for coronavirus to include those with mild symptoms. It has put together a COVID-19 test site finder here. Michigan’s COVID-19 testing priority criteria now includes:Hospitalized patientsSymptomatic healthcare workersPatients in congregate facilities with symptoms, including those at: long-term care or elderly living facilitiesJails or prisonsHomeless sheltersResidential foster care facilitiesOther group living settingPatients age 65 and older with symptomsPatients with underlying conditions with symptomsFirst responders with symptomsCritical infrastructure workers with symptomsIndividuals with mild symptomsIf you believe you have coronavirus you should contact your healthcare provider to discuss if you should be tested.

LANSING, Mich. – People with mild coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms are now able to get tested. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is expanding testing criteria for coronavirus to include those with mild symptoms. MORE: What the CDC says you should do if you believe you have coronavirus (COVID-19)How COVID-19 SpreadsPerson-to-person spreadThe virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person. How easily the virus spreadsHow easily a virus spreads from person-to-person can vary. Some viruses are highly contagious (spread easily), like measles, while other viruses do not spread as easily.

DETROIT – The state of Michigan released new data showing hospitalizations for COVID-19 around the state, as well as available medical supplies. The state has the third most cases in the U.S. Michigan has been criticized for its lack of available data. New hospital data shows how many COVID-19 patients are currently hospitalized, how many are in critical care or on a ventilator, and how many have been discharged. The state also released more testing data, showing the daily increases in testing capacity in relation to positive tests. Track the latest COVID-19 Michigan data right here on ClickOnDetroit.

DETROIT – Henry Ford Health System will launch the first large-scale U.S. study to determine a drug’s effectiveness in preventing coronavirus (COVID-19). The study of hydroxychloroquine used prophylactically could begin as early as next week, according to Henry Ford. Dr. Marcus Zervos, division head of Infectious Disease for Henry Ford Health System, will oversee this study with Dr. O’Neill. The study medication was specially procured for this study and will not impact the supply of medication for people who already take the medication for other conditions. Henry Ford Health System is poised to do anything we can to help them stay safe.” ​The FDA will provide the drug directly to Henry Ford Health System physicians to distribute.

Mayor Mike Duggan announced Monday the city signed a contract with Abbott Labs, allowingDetroit to become one of the first U.S. cities to receive such kits that return positive results in about 5 minutes and negative results in about 13 minutes.

Cases are continuing to rise in Michigan and in states around the U.S., but that doesn’t mean distancing measures aren’t working. The positive tests we’re seeing right now were most likely contracted before serious distancing measures were put in place. This is called “flattening the curve.”But it could be multiple weeks before governments can definitively know if distancing measures are working or not. It is crucial that people do the right thing by staying home and staying safe.”Why can’t we just isolate patients? “But we don’t know, technically, where they are.

Drivers line up for coronavirus (COVID-19) drive-thru testing at Beaumont Hospital in Royal OakPublished: March 18, 2020, 8:34 amDrivers were lined up Wednesday (March 18, 2020) morning for drive-thru coronavirus (COVID-19) testing outside Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. For more on the coronavirus in Michigan, go here: https://www.clickondetroit.com/topic/michigan_coronavirus/

Drive-thru coronavirus testing centers offered across AmericaPublished: March 17, 2020, 6:32 amYou don't even have to get out of your vehicle at the COVID-19 drive-thru testing locations.