Tag Archives: testing

Ford Airport expands its rapid COVID testing program, receives award for expansion project

3-bottom, City of Kentwood,
The Gerald R. Ford international Airport receives the American Council of Engineering Companies’ 2021 Engineering Merit Award for its terminal reconstruction and expansion project. (WKTV)

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

It has been an interesting week for the Gerald R. Ford International Airport. First the airport announced it would be expanding its rapid COVID program and then announced it received an award for its terminal apron reconstruction and expansion project.

Rapid COVID Testing

Since opening the testing site in December, TACKL Health, which is partnering with the Ford Airport, has administered more than 4,500 tests. This spurred the the airport to expand the partnership with TACKL to offer rapid molecular PCR tests. This makes the airport one of the first airports in the nation to do so.

The drive-up, no-appointment-needed site has added a rapid PCR option that provides results in 30 minutes, down from its offering of 24-72 hours. PCR tests are widely recognized as more accurate than rapid antigen tests and are now required by many countries before international travel.

The testing site is open daily from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. Those wishing to be tested do not need to have COVID-19 symptoms or a doctor’s referral. TACKL Health currently does not accept insurance with participants required to pay out-of-pocket for services.

“As travel demand continues to grow, some destinations, especially international, increasingly require a PCR test before entering,” said Stephen Clark, director of commercial development for the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority. “Since we opened this site in mid-December, we have had overwhelming demand, with some guests traveling from Chicago, Marquette and Detroit for the peace of mind a test can bring.”

The rapid PCR test costs $275 per person. Ford Airport anticipates this test should work for most domestic and international destinations, but guests should consult their carrier or destination to ensure they receive the proper test before departing.

In addition to its rapid antigen test, TACKL Health also is offering a new rapid antibody test that checks for both IgM and IgG antibodies. This test is administered through a finger prick and should have results available within 20 minutes. The test will cost $65 as a standalone service or $45 with the purchase of another service.

Testing is set up in the Airport’s economy lot and is on a first-come, first-served basis. When guests arrive, they will need to fill out an intake form using a QR code. If they are unable to access the form or need assistance, a technician will be available at the testing site.

For more information on the testing site, visit tacklhealth.com/grr or call 616-816-1280.

Airport receives 2021 Engineering Merit Award

The Gerald R. Ford International Airport’s terminal apron reconstruction and expansion project has received the American Council of Engineering Companies’ 2021 Engineering Merit Award.

The project — done in collaboration with Livonia-based engineering, architecture and construction firm C&S Companies — was selected for this honor among 32 entries. The recognition is part of the American Council of Engineering Companies, or ACEC, Engineering and Surveying Excellence Awards competition.

The ACEC annually recognizes outstanding engineering and surveying firms for Michigan projects that demonstrate an exceptional degree of innovation, complexity and value. Criteria for the 2021 awards specifically focused on uniqueness and originality, social and economic value, technical innovation and generating excitement for the engineering profession.

The Ford Airport received the award on Feb. 26 during the ACEC’s virtual 54th Engineering Excellence Awards Gala.

C&S Companies led design and construction oversight of the $50 million program, which began in 2018 and included the replacement or expansion of 215,000 square yards of the terminal area where aircraft are parked, unloaded or loaded, de-iced and refueled. The project, completed in September with minimal impact to the guest experience, allows for more adequate apron space for air carriers. Most significantly, it paved the way for Project Elevate.

A three-development expansion, Project Elevate includes a $90 million extension of Concourse A to accommodate projected passenger growth over the next 20 years as well as the construction of a Federal Inspection Station and air traffic control tower relocation.

County offices, testing sites closed for Christmas, New Year’s Eve

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Most Kent County offices and COVID-19 testing sites will be closed on Thursday, Dec. 24, and Friday, Dec. 25, in observance of the Christmas holiday. County offices also will be closed on Jan. 1, 2021 in observance of New Year.

A few service exemptions are:

  • The Kent County Correctional Facility will remain open with regular hours; however, all other services will be closed.
  • The Department of Public Works disposal facilities will close at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 24. The Recycling Center will reopen on Saturday, Dec. 26, for commercial haulers from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Additionally, all disposal facilities will close at 4 p.m. on Dec. 31, the Recycling Center will reopen on Saturday, Jan. 2, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for commercial haulers.

County offices are open for business Dec. 28, 29, 30 and 31.

For more information on how to access Kent County departments and offices, visit www.accesskent.com.

Metro Health brings free COVID-19 mobile testing to vulnerable communities

3-bottom, City of Wyoming, Community Health, ,

By Jamie Allen
Metro Health – University of Michigan Health

COVID-19 has exposed large health inequities both nationally and locally, resulting in devastating, even life-and-death consequences. In Michigan, where African Americans make up just 14% of the population, over 40% of the deaths from COVID-19 were African American.

“There are several reasons why racial minority populations are experiencing higher COVID-19 infectionrates,” said Dr. Rhae-Ann Booker, Vice President of DEI, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health.“These include underlying health conditions, occupational environment and living situations.”

When it comes to seeking treatment, minority populations are often at a disadvantage with inadequate health insurance, a lack of transportation and language barriers.

Metro Health is working to combat these barriers by bringing free COVID-19 testing and resources into some of the most vulnerable communities in the Greater Grand Rapids area. Beginning the week of June 8, Metro Health mobile units will be rotating to two different sites each week for free walk-up testing and consultations.

Hispanic Center of West Michigan – Beginning the week of June 8

1204 Grandville Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 Tuesdays and Fridays from 8-11am

United Methodist Community House – Beginning the week of June 15

904 Sheldon Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507 Tuesdays from 1-4pm

Those desiring testing do not need to be current patients of Metro Health. They do not need health insurance or identification for the free test. They will simply be asked for their name and contact information so results can be appropriately delivered. In addition to COVID-19 testing, Metro Health will have providers available to answer questions and distribute important resources in both English and Spanish.

“During a crisis like we are facing with coronavirus, it becomes convenient to abandon commitments to principals of diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Dr. Booker. “We will not allow this to happen.”

In addition to our mobile testing, Metro Health also offers free COVID-19 drive up testing at the Metro Health Community Clinic located at 781 36th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506. This site sees anestimated 6,500 patients a year that are medically underserved and may not be comfortable seeking care in other locations.

Even in the best of times, healthcare does not look the same for all people. It is not equitable. A pandemic shines a bright light on those inequities. Metro Health is taking an even greater responsibility and accountability so that no group of people is left behind.

School News Network: Water everywhere, but is it safe? Students take a closer look

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From left, seventh-grader Amari Taylor, Emma Huebner and Nelson Hto test a tap water sample from Valleywood Middle School

By Erin Albanese

School News Network

 

A drop of water can go along way and pick up a lot on its journey. Kentwood’s Valleywood Middle School students learned this while examining what’s in the water from wells in Byron Center, Rockford, Caledonia, Wayland, Kentwood and other area municipalities, as well as in tap water from their schools and homes.

 

Seventh-graders watched water brought in by science teacher Michael Faber turning colors, testing positive for iron and copper, and indicating pH levels as they shook up vials.

 

Students identified different minerals present in well versus tap water, noting the “hardness” of well water, and learned about how contaminants can have an identifiable source or come from runoff.

 

“It’s important we know what’s in the water so we are drinking healthy water,” said seventh-grader Alija Nukisic.

 

The science lab in Faber’s class provided a glimpse of what’s in area groundwater as students thought about impacts of human water usage and pollution. For World Water Day March 22, they discussed water supplies around the world and its scarcity.

 

Seven-grader T.J. Scott tests a sample while Saurab Pradhan, behind him, and Adan Moran watch for results.

Water Flows Through Classes

 

The lab was part of seventh graders’ extensive “Water is Life” study, a project-based learning cross-curricular unit, planned by English teacher Jane Van Hof. Students have also studied the watershed in Africa and read the book, “A Long Walk to Water,” by Linda Sue Park, about the Lost Boys of Sudan. They wrote research papers on “How does human activity influence water sustainability?”

 

They heard presentations from local experts including John Gorney, city of Kentwood Public Works director; Joanna Allerhand, environmental scientist from Groundswell; and Mike Roon, who is retired from the city of Wyoming and has built water systems in Ecuador.

 

The study will end with a field trip to the Grand Rapids Public Museum to see the Water’s Extreme Journey exhibit.

 

Faber’s class discussed contamination and pollution, as seen in Flint with lead and the Rockford area with PFAS recently. Seventh-grader Chad Horrell said it’s important to think about what’s in the water they drink and be aware of pollutants. “It could harm us health-wise and mentally,” he said.

 

Seventh-grader Amari Taylor pours a water sample into a vial

“What happened in Flint was they had too much lead in their water and that caused people to get sick,” added seventh-grader Natalee Redd.

 

Students said they found differences in unsoftened well water and tap water when it came to mineral content. “It’s way foggier than tap water,” Chad said.

 

Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.

Kent County to start testing of tornado/high winds warning sirens in April

3-bottom, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , , , , ,

Damage from the 2016 tornado in the City of Wyoming.

By Lisa LaPlante

Kent County Community Liaison and Communications Director

 

In 2016, the August 20 tornado outbreak across West Michigan caused more than five million dollars in damage. The National Weather Service determined that six tornadoes touched down in a matter of hours, including two EF0 tornadoes in Grandville, Wyoming and Grand Rapids. The State of Michigan was hit by 16 tornadoes last year, just slightly higher than the average 15 per year. Kent County has a system of sirens to alert residents of high winds or tornadoes. Starting Friday, April 7, and continuing on the first Friday of every month at noon through October, tornado alarm testing will be heard in Kent County homes and businesses.

 

Ideal Park was loved for its dense tree canopy now lost from the 2014 tornado.

It is important to plan in advance for disasters to know how you and your family will get to a safe place, how to contact each other and what to do in different situations. “Traffic was a dilemma in the initial hours after the tornadoes hit Kent County last August,” said Kent County Emergency Management Coordinator Jack Stewart. “Trees and debris in roadways made getting around difficult. Determine a location where you will meet your family during an emergency, both near your house and further away, in case your neighborhood streets are closed.”

 

If a disaster occurs, it may be easier to make a phone call to a designated out-of-town contact, as phone lines may be overwhelmed. Make sure that person is aware that he or she is the designated contact. Pet owners should have a disaster plan for pets as well. This is a great time to review severe weather plans, refresh supplies and make sure preparations are complete. Check flashlights and stock up on fresh batteries. Homes should have enough fresh drinking water and canned food items for three days, a can opener, an all-weather radio, and a first aid kit.

 

If you don’t hear the sirens April 7 at noon, please contact your local township or city office. Be vigilant whenever severe weather is in the forecast. While no location is completely safe from a tornado or severe thunderstorm, it is important to seek all possible protection. For more about severe weather, go to http://www.michigan.gov/documents/msp/SWApacket_554981_7.pdf.

Smartphone apps are available that will provide notification of weather watches and warnings. Severe weather watch means the potential exists for the development of storms/tornadoes, so be mindful of changing conditions. Severe weather warning mean that storms are imminent or occurring. Move indoors to a place of safety. If it is a Tornado Warning, take shelter in a location on the lowest level of the building, such as the basement, or in a small, windowless room at the innermost part of the building.