COVID-19 testing volume goes up, positive cases slowly trend down

MILWAUKEE, Wis. (CBS 58)-- More people are getting swabbed for COVID-19. 

Milwaukee County is averaging about 37,000 tests each week, according to a COVID-19 briefing on Tuesday, Oct. 5. At it's peak in December 2020, that number was almost 50,000.

"We haven't seen testing volumes this high since last fall and into the early part of winter," Greenfield Health Department Director Darren Rausch said. 

"This demand for testing, related to outbreaks in schools and workplaces and families, has certainly created some delays," Rausch said. 

Rausch said test results are typically sent to someone within 24 hours of having their nose swabbed. Recently, it's taking about double the time. 

"That's a very good turnaround time for any sort of diagnostic laboratory test, but it certainly does put burdens in the community," Rausch said. 

The city of Milwaukee continues to look for a free community testing site to replace the one that closed at American Family Field in late September.

"We do have a site that we are very, very interested in, and we are working out the legal ramifications," Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said. "We don't have anything to announce today." 

The city continues to operate two other free community testing sites located at the Northwest and Southside health centers.