New COVID-19 testing site opening in Benton Harbor

A new neighborhood testing site is opening in Benton Harbor on Tuesday, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Health officials will offer testing at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, 1105 E. Main Street on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“Testing is free and locations were chosen in part to help address racial and ethnic disparities that existed prior to the pandemic and were exacerbated by the virus,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy of health and MDHHS. “We are pleased more than 2,600 Michiganders have been tested at one of the Neighborhood Testing Sites since they opened at the end of August.”

Testing sites are offering saliva tests, which are less invasive than nasal swabs and may make the testing process more tolerable for some people. Appointments are strongly encouraged and can be made by calling the COVID-19 hotline at 888-535-6136 and selecting “1” or online.

Walk-ins will be taken as space allows, but pre-registration is strongly advised.

Test results can be obtained via phone, email or by logging into the results portal.