The state of Michigan will open nine new drive-thru coronavirus testing sites across the state and will expand testing capacity in Detroit, an announcement that comes a day after the state saw its deadliest day so far during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Few details were made available about the Detroit site’s location or opening date, but it will aim to test at least 750 people a day. New drive-thru sites will open in Atlanta, Bad Axe, Battle Creek, Bay City, Benton Harbor, Jackson, Kalamazoo and Traverse City on Monday, and in Flint on Wednesday. Drive-through testing sites already operating in Grand Rapids, Lansing and Saginaw will be expanded.

“Better access to testing and quicker results are critical to our public health officials who are fighting coronavirus and to our residents who have symptoms of COVID-19 and need answers, treatment and peace of mind,” said Michigan Gov. Whitmer in a press release. “More testing will save lives.”

The testing sites, made available through a partnership with the state of Michigan, health centers, Michigan Primary Care Association and NxGen Laboratory in Grand Rapids, will increase Michigan’s daily COVID-19 testing capacity by about 40%.

Each site will plan to test more than 100 people per day starting Monday, the release said.

Detroit offers drive-through testing for residents and others who have a doctor's prescription at the State Fairgrounds site near 8 Mile Road and Woodward Avenue.

The city of Detroit was also the first city in the country to begin using the kits from Abbott, which produce results in about 15 minutes. A standard test would take days to produce results.

Below are the criteria to be tested at the sites. People should first contact the site’s patient screening telephone line or their health care provider before driving to the site, the release said.

Hospitalized patients

Symptomatic healthcare workers

Patients in congregate facilities with symptoms, including those at: Long-term care or elderly living facilities Jails or prisons Homeless shelters Residential foster care facilities Other group living settings

Patients age 65 and older with symptoms

Patients with underlying conditions with symptoms

First responders with symptoms

Critical infrastructure workers with symptoms

Below are the drive-through test locations:

Atlanta (between Gaylord and Alpena): Thunder Bay Community Health Service, 11899 M-32, 989-733-6827.

Bad Axe: Great Lakes Bay Health Centers, 876 N. Van Dyke Rd, 989-623-0137.

Battle Creek: Grace Health, 181 W. Emmett St., 269-441-3463.

Bay City: Great Lakes Bay Health Centers, 3884 Monitor Rd, 989-671-2000.

Benton Harbor: InterCare Community Health Network, 800 M-139, 855-869-6900.

Flint: Atwood Stadium, parking lot entrance off West 1st Street, details to come. Opens Wednesday.

Grand Rapids: Cherry Health, 200 Sheldon Street SE, 616-965-8347.

Jackson: Center for Family Health, 505 N. Jackson St., 517-748-5363.

Kalamazoo: Family Health Center, 117 W Paterson St., 269-488-0804.

Lansing: Ingham Community Health Centers, 2316 S. Cedar St., 517-887-4517.

Saginaw: Great Lakes Bay Health Centers, 501 Lapeer Ave., 989-293-3492.

Traverse City: Northwest Michigan Health Services, 10767 Traverse Highway, 231-642-5292.

Contact Adrienne at amroberts@freepress.com.