UW System extends COVID-19 rapid testing until at least Christmas

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- University of Wisconsin System's COVID-19 "surge testing" sites will operate at least until Christmas, System President Tommy Thompson announced Monday, Dec. 7. 

According to a news release, the 22 sites across Wisconsin located on or near UW System university campuses provide free rapid-response COVID-19 testing available to community members as well as students and employees. Since opening in early November, the sites have now administered about 100,000 Abbott BinaxNOW tests. 

Originally, System officials estimated the sites would operate for about six weeks, or through mid-December. Thanks to added support from the United States Department of Health and Human Services to meet the demand, surge testing will continue up until at least Christmas.

Days and hours vary by individual site.

If you'd like to receive a rapid COVID-19 test, available in about 15 minutes, register by CLICKING HERE. 

Those who test positive through the rapid-results test are urged to get a confirmatory PCR test. Individuals do not have to be experiencing symptoms or be a close contact of someone with COVID-19 to get a test, nor do they need to live in the community where the testing site is located.

Individuals seeking to be tested will register online, proceed to the testing site, administer the test themselves under supervision, and label it for processing.

“As Wisconsinites struggle with this insidious disease, we will be in every part of the state to provide help with testing,” said President Thompson.