Hyundai Motor America announced that the city of Detroit Department of Health would receive a $100,000 grant and 10,000 test kits to be used in the fight against the ongoing spread of COVID-19. The move from the automaker comes as an expansion of its support for COVID-19, and at the moment, Hyundai is helping to support drive-thru testing at 22 hospitals nationwide.
“This is great news for Detroit families and health care professionals who are fighting the spread of COVID-19,” shared Governor Gretchen Whitmer in a press release put out by the State of Michigan. “Hyundai is one of many businesses that have stepped up to help us get the supplies we need to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Michigan. By increasing our testing capacity, we can ensure more Michiganders get the care they need, and we can save more lives. When it comes to fighting this virus, we are all on the same team. We will get through this when we continue working together.”
“Detroit was chosen for the donation because of need,” Added Zafar Brooks, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for Hyundai. “The tests, valued at $150,000, are on their way to Detroit and will be available in the coming days.”
The drive from Hyundai comes as part of its Hyundai Hope On Wheels program, which has pas been used by the automaker to support children who have pediatric cancer. At the moment, they have worked to expand testing for COVID-19 at 22 hospitals nationwide through a $4 million grant program.
“As a global automaker, we continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and its potential harm to the U.S. and beyond,” shared Jose Muñoz, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America in a release put out by the automaker. “A best practice that was crucial in South Korea’s handling of the coronavirus was drive-thru testing. This approach protects the healthcare workers and patients from the potential spread of the virus while diagnosing those most in need.”
Hyundai will provide the testing kits to Detroit through Seegene, a “South Korea-based global leader in multiplex molecular diagnostics.” The tests manufactured by Seegene can detect three different genes associated with SARS-CoV-2, the virus which is responsible for COVID-19, at the point of testing. As of the date, Hyundai is the only automaker providing these sorts of tests to hospitals that need them.
Detroit is among cities such as Chicago, Houston and New Orleans to receive the testing kits from assistance.
Of the drive-thru testing sites set up by the automaker, 16,798 tests have been conducted thus far. As of April 10, 2020, drive-through testing numbers included 2,300 in Aurora CO, 1,792 in Philidelphia PA and 425 at the Children’s National Hospital in Washington DC.
More information about the Hyundai Hope On Wheels program and it’s role in fighting COVID-19 can be found here.
