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One of the biggest complaints during the COVID-19 pandemic, is that test results are not coming back quick enough, especially in the Upper Peninsula.
Michigan Tech University to the rescue.
Working with area healthcare providers, Michigan Tech has begun testing human samples for COVID-19.
Their lab can run 80 samples an hour, cutting wait times for results.
Until Michigan Tech started testing, samples were sent down to the state lab in Lansing, and results took over a week to come back.
Now results are back within 48 hours, and most come back within 24.
Michigan Tech Vice President of Research Dave Reed explained how the process has come about.
Medical Lab Science Program Director Karyn Fay, named the hospitals Michigan Tech is working with.
Representative Greg Markkanen and Senator Ed McBroom played a role in this, and Markkanen said “The Herculean effort of the folks at Michigan Tech will meet our communities needs to get tests and results quicker so that healthcare workers can do their jobs and help monitor this crisis.”
Michigan Tech also plans to hire more staff and acquire more equipment for this new program.
