LANSING — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has unveiled a new online tool that lets users conveniently find a COVID-19 testing site near them and register for testing online. 

The test finder tool at michigan.gov/CoronavirusTest has filters which allow users to find sites that are free, test people with no symptoms, do not require a doctor’s note and test uninsured people. 

Users can select multiple filters and select proximity to their locations. Some testing sites allow users to schedule an appointment online. 

For Michiganders who prefer to find sites and register for testing over the phone, MDHHS has partnered with Michigan 211 to to help them do that. 

Anyone who calls the Michigan COVID-19 hotline Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 888-535-6136, and presses 1 will be transferred automatically to a 211 operator who can help the caller find testing sites and, for select sites, schedule an appointment.

“As Michigan works to expand testing sites, it’s also important to make it as easy as possible for people to identify testing locations and simplify their testing experience,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy director for health. “We continue to work to eliminate barriers to testing so we can identify and contain COVID-19 as much as possible.”

Photo: Fernando Zhiminaicela

There are more than 300 COVID-19 testing sites in Michigan. The state government is urging people to get tested if they feel sick, if someone close to them feels sick or if they work outside the home.

Many sites provide drive-thru or walk up testing. Garden City Hospital recently launched a COVID-19 antibody testing program, free for Wayne County residents and employees. 

The state has expanded its criteria for COVID-19 testing to encourage people who are not showing symptoms to be tested. These can be people who are at risk because they work in a congregate facility or other high-risk setting, such as a nursing home, jail, prison, homeless shelter or assisted living facility or anyone who frequently interacts with the public.