Testing sites see increased demand for COVID-19 tests ahead of Thanksgiving

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- More people are looking to get tested for COVID-19 ahead of seeing friends and family for Thanksgiving.

As people start to gather up groceries for Thanksgiving next week, Waukesha is making sure people also have access to COVID-19 testing.

"We want to encourage people to get tested if they have had any exposure to someone with COVID-19. Especially in advance of those holiday gatherings with the cold coming and social distancing becoming more difficult," Bridget Gnadt said.

Bridget Gnadt with Waukesha County Health and Human Services says some sites have already seen increased demand. Accelerated Clinical Labs is Waukesha County’s newest community testing partner at the Waukesha County Expo Center.

"Our community testing sites are experiencing about 150 percent of the volume they were just a few weeks ago," she said.

This new pop-up drive-thru site at the Waukesha County Expo Center will allow people to register and get tested the same day. Regardless of insurance, anyone can come get tested at no cost. It is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.

"Going off of past experience, there was last year a very pronounced uptick in testing demand surrounding the holidays. We are anticipating the same, especially with the delta variant," Gnadt said.

Mequon is also hosting vaccine clinic at City Hall all week. The clinic will take place from 3 to 6 p.m.

Jo Steinberg with Midland Health set up the clinic. She said there was increased demand for the vaccine, which could also be from the holidays coming up.

"There's no rhyme or reason to it. If there was one particular thing, I would say companies mandating the shots and parents who are concerned about their children are stepping up to the plate," Steinberg said.

No appointment is required to get a test, though online preregistration will expedite the on-site process. To preregister, CLICK HERE.