Access to COVID-19 Drive Through Testing in Houghton

April 28, 2020

UPPER PENINSULA, MI – Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center (UGL) and the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department have coordinated efforts to provide a COVID-19 drive through test site in Houghton available to all community members currently exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.

“Increasing the number of tests in the community will provide us a better understanding of the local relationship of the virus and how it is impacting our community” said Kate Beer, Health Officer-Western U.P. Health Department.

Anyone wishing to be screened for COVID-19 symptoms may call toll free number 844-947-4854. A representative will ask a few screening questions to determine if the caller is a candidate to receive a COVID-19 test from the convenience of their vehicle. Individuals who screen positive will be asked to provide some personal information, including their consent for treatment, to complete the pre-registration process. Once received, an appointment for the drive through test will be scheduled. Additionally, individuals will need to provide the color, make and model of their vehicle for identification purposes.

Drive through testing services are being provided by Upper Great Lakes Houghton Family Health Center. The drive through test site, located on Michigan Technological University’s campus at the Gates Tennis Center, will be open Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. COVID-19 drive through test screenings and appointments are only available by phone. Individuals participating in drive through testing must present and remain in their vehicle during the appointment. 

The COVID-19 test being used in this situation is a nasal cavity swab that only takes a few minutes to complete. Currently, test results are received within 4-6 days. However, this may vary as the volume of tests taken may significantly increase over the next few weeks. Drive through testing will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis initially serving 30 individuals per day. Adjustments may be made to accommodate more individuals daily pending public interest and the availability of supplies and equipment.

For more information, about Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center, including the opportunity to schedule a virtual telehealth visit, go to: www.uglhealth.org and for more information about the Western U.P. Health Department and COVID-19 information and resources visit: www.wuphd.org.





Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center (UGL) is a Federally Qualified Health Center and is a Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) Deemed Facility.
UGL receives funding from The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and has Federal Public Health Service deemed status with respect to certain health or health-related claims, including medical malpractice claims for itself and its covered individuals.
This project is/was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number H80CS26511 Health Center Cluster, total award amount of $1,839,050 with 89.9 % financed from nongovernmental sources. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.