McLaren Macomb hospital in Mount Clemens is offering an isolated outdoor testing unit for COVID-19 but only for people who have shown some type of symptoms.

A drive-thru test under a canopy outside the emergency room began Saturday morning and will continue indefinitely. It is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Meanwhile, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Saturday banned most visitors from hospitals, nursing facilities and youth homes.

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In a Friday order that took effect Saturday, Whitmer says "health care facilities, residential care facilities, congregate care facilities, and juvenile justice facilities" must deny entry to "any visitors that are not necessary for the provision of medical care or the support of activities of daily living, or that are not visiting under exigent circumstances, such as grave illness or imminent death of a family member under care in the facility."

Dr. James Larkin, chief of the McLaren Macomb emergency department, said the segregated unit at the hospital is designed to check for the highly contagious virus while protecting patients and hospital employees. Previously, people were entering the emergency room to get tested.

“We want people who are sick to come here and not expose everyone else,” he said. “We can identify them quickly and get them into the system."

Larkin emphasized the test will not be given to someone who isn't showing any type of illness symptoms, such as a cough, fever, difficulty breathing or body aches, those being more associated with the flu than COVID-19.

“We understand people may be worried, and that's understandable," he said. "(But) you have to have some type of symptom to be tested. We don’t want to people to think this is some type of routine screening.”

Larkin said the patients will remain in their vehicle while being met by a nurse, who will test for vital signs and ask questions. A nasal swab will be taken and first tested at the hospital for flu, and if that test if negative, sent to the state for coronavirus testing. That takes one to three days.

Four people were checked out as of 11 a.m. Saturday and before that 11 people had come to the emergency room to be tested last week, Larkin said. Of those 15, none had the flu so all were sent to the Lansing lab. Of those, three results have returned with no positives, he said.

Nationally, about 2,500 people have tested positive for COVID-19 and 49 have died as of Saturday afternoon. Worldwide, more than 155,000 have been diagnosed and over 5,800 have died.

Macomb County's first positive test for COVID-19 was revealed late Friday and is one of 25 presumptive positive tests in Michigan. According to Whitmer's office, 205 people have tested negative as of Friday.

Henry Ford Health System said on its web site Friday that it has had three patients test postive for COVID-19. The Detroit-based system operates two major facilities in Macomb County.

"A female patient and a male patient were discharged home with instructions to stay home, monitor their symptoms and avoid contact with other family members," Henry Ford said. "A male patient was hospitalized and is being discharged today in good condition."

Henry Ford cautioned on its Facebook page that "anyone suspecting exposure to COVID-19 should not visit an urgent care, emergency room or doctor’s office without calling ahead."

President Trump, Whitmer and Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel all declared emergencies.

Whitmer's order regarding hospitals and other facilities will remain in effect at least through April 5. The order says that beginning Monday, the facility must screen anyone before it does allow him or her to enter the hospital.

In other COVID-19-related developments, the Michigan Department of Corrections on Friday suspended in-person visiting of prisoners effective, including outside volunteers and other tours and groups who routinely come into the prisons.

“This was not a decision we arrived at lightly, as we understand and recognize the importance of family contact with the prison population,” said MDOC Director Heidi Washington.

The Macomb Correctional Facility state prison is located on 26 Mile Road in Lenox Township.

During this period, the department is working with its vendors that provide communication services and other enhanced services to the prison population, MDOC officials said.

For the past week, facilities have undergone additional and more frequent cleaning and information on prevention has been provided to the prison population and MDOC staff, officials said.

Prison staff also will be screened each day.

Visitation at the Macomb County Jail in Mount Clemens will remain in place, including in-person visits from attorneys, Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said.

Visits from inmates' family or friends are done remotely by video so there is no contact, Wickersham said.

Wickersham said he if a visitor is feeling ill, "I would hope common sense would prevail" and her or she would postpone their visit.

All new inmates are given a health screening, and since Feb. 9 they have been asked additional questions by a nurse specifically addressing COVID-19, he said.

Meanwhile, the Macomb County Health Department on Saturday expanded the operation of its COVID-19 Helpline to include weekend hours of operation. The Helpline – 586-463-3750 – is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.

The Health Department also has a page on its website that includes the latest information and guidance related to COVID-19: health.macombgov.org/Health-Programs-DC-Coronavirus.

The Macomb County Food Program reminded the public Saturday that it operates more than 50 sites where people can obtain food. A majority of the locations are churches; some are other nonprofit organizations.

For more details, call the United Way's Help and referral line by dialing 211 or calling 800-552-1183.

In additional coronavirus-related developments:

* General Motors and Ford Motors on Friday ordered or encouraged their employees to work remotely starting Monday.

"These are extraordinary times and we are focused on navigating the situation responsibly," CEO Mary Barra wrote in a letter on the GM web site.

"Especially in times like these, we demonstrate our flexibility, agility and resilience. This team always rises to the occasion and just as we have in the past, we will chart our course."

FiatChrysler announced last week it would close plants in Italy as necessary.

"To enable greater spacing of employees at their workstations, daily production rates will be lowered to accommodate the adapted manufacturing processes," FCA said.

• Dr. Betty Chu, associate chief clinical officer and chief quality office of Henry Ford, will provide information and answer questions regarding coronavirus at 11 a.m. Wednesday during a Facebook Live session at facebook.com/HenryFordHealthSystem.

• Beaumont Health has established a coronavirus hotline, 248-551-7000, described as "a community resource for timely, accurate information about COVID-19 symptoms and virtual screening for people who are experiencing symptoms."

* The Methodist Church in Michigan joined many other churches in shutting down all activities for the next three Sundays, beginning March 15, with Palm Sunday, April 5, still to be determined.

• Cranbrook Art Museum in Bloomfield Hills will be closed until at least April 7 while the Cranbrook Institute of Science and House will be closed until at least April 6, including all programs such as field trips, scout programs and Spring Break Art Days. To rebook a program, please visit the Institute’s website or email the Art Museum at visitart@cranbrook.edu.

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