Waukesha County hosts 2-day free COVID-19 drive-thru test site
WAUKESHA COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Waukesha County Public Health and the Waukesha County Office of Emergency Management are partnering with the Wisconsin National Guard to open a two-day COVID-19 regional testing site.
All Wisconsin residents who are experiencing symptoms can get tested at the Waukesha County Expo Center at 1000 Northview Rd. on Monday, July 27 and Tuesday, July 28 according to a press release, from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. or until 400 tests have been conducted each day.
“I’m here to get tested for the first time,” says Kelly Lawler.
It was a similar story heard from people waiting in line Monday, July 27th, at the Expo Center.
Richard Sayles was in the car with his three kids and wife who’s expecting.
“Figured we might as well get tested,” says Sayles. “Mom got tested, she’s pregnant due in October. We might as well get tested just to be safe.”
At the beginning of July, Waukesha County was averaging about 30-40 confirmed positive cases per day.
The second week, the average had nearly doubled to about 60 cases per day.
By the third week in July, there was an average of 100 confirmed positive cases per day.
“We have to take responsibility in this and just do what we need to do and fix what we can,” says Lawler.
Last week, the site had reached its testing limit for the day and closed early on Tuesday.
“We’re up to 3,000 total cases since the beginning of COVID in Waukesha County,” says County Executive Paul Farrow. “That’s an alarming figure. The thing we look at though are the active cases which are about 1,000 cases which are still active in the county.”
The highest cases are among the 20 to 29-year-old age group.
Currently, Waukesha County does not have a mask mandate.
“Our focus right now is really informing the public on the importance of taking that personal responsibility to separate yourself,” says Farrow.
The county is working closely with the state to determine future testing sites and number of tests.
County officials recommend contacting your physician for testing options and locations.
As for a mask mandate, Alderman Aaron Perry says he has made a request and provided guidance to the city’s attorney to prepare a draft. He says it will likely be available by the end of the week.
Those who wish to be tested are asked to pre-register online in advance to reduce wait times. They will then receive a QR code via email that should be brought to the testing site in order to check in.
The tests are free, and no proof of insurance or referrals from health care providers are needed.
Tests will be conducted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Anyone who is unable to attend the community-wide testing site on these dates can request an appointment at one of several public test sites.