FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
08/7/20
CONTACT: Susan Kunferman, Wood County Health Department Director/Health Officer
(715) 421-8911
Free COVID-19 Testing in Wood County with National Guard: Wisconsin Rapids
Wisconsin Rapids, WI – Wood County Health Department has requested assistance from the WI National Guard to once again scale up COVID-19 testing. The National Guard will be providing drive-through style COVID-19 nasal swab testing in Wisconsin Rapids on Wednesday, August 12th from 11am-7pm.
The event will be held at the Lincoln High School located at 1801 16th St S, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494. The event is open to the community and appointments are NOT necessary. Be prepared to provide a current address, county of residence, and phone number when you arrive for testing. Testing at this event will be free and is open to any Wisconsin resident experiencing symptoms. Anyone 5 years and older with any current symptom: fever, cough, loss of taste/smell, shortness of breath, sore throat, fatigue, body aches, diarrhea, vomiting or nausea, chills, and/or muscle aches is eligible for testing. Testing is also open to individuals with known exposure to a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. In an effort to save time, there will be the ability to register online for testing on your phone after arriving. If you do not register online, you will still be tested. National Guard staff will register you.
Due to the unknown amount of interest, prepare for potential wait times. It is requested that modes of transportation (cars, horse drawn buggies, etc.) form a line while waiting for testing, and that those who want to be tested, stay in or on their mode of transportation at all times. People will remain in their modes of transportation for testing and no restroom facilities will be available onsite, please plan accordingly. Individuals arriving on bike or on foot will be directed to a walk-through line.
The National Guard will be doing the testing. They will be in uniform and in full PPE (personal protective equipment including gowns, mask, gloves, etc.) during this event. Individuals will be contacted with results. There are two main goals for this event: 1) provide our communities with mass testing, and 2) give public health better insight into how widespread COVID-19 is in our communities. Following this event, we will continue to work closely with our local healthcare providers to continue building their capacity to meet patient demand.
“As we continue to see cases rise in Wood County, it is important people have access to testing and results in a timely manner. The National Guard is a great resource we are fortunate to be able to utilize and our department appreciates their assistance with increased testing capacity,” said Sue Kunferman, Wood County Health Officer/Director. “We need to focus on protecting our family, friends and community. Wearing a mask and physical distancing has and will continue to be an effective strategy at minimizing the spread of disease.”
Following testing, people should return straight home and follow the instructions given at the testing site. Test results will be provided via phone by the National Guard or your local health department in a timely manner. If you have questions or immediate needs related to COVID-19, call 2-1-1 or text COVID-19 to 211211. For up-to-date information, please visit the Wood County Health Department website and Facebook page.
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