Drive-through regional COVID-19 testing in Thorp on May 13
State agencies and the Wisconsin National Guard are working with local health departments to create community testing events in places with a lack of access to testing for COVID-19.
“Taking our lab capacity from the ability to perform zero COVID-19 tests in early March to more than 11,000 tests per day now is one of our success stories here in Wisconsin,” said Gov. Evers. “But capacity is not the same as utilization, so we have some work to do to ensure everyone who needs a test is getting one and to understand the full scope of this disease around Wisconsin. The state has been working hard to support local health departments throughout this crisis and we’re pleased to announce these additional community testing events in northwest Wisconsin. I urge anyone who is experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19 to go get tested at one of these events.”
The Wisconsin National Guard will be working area health officials to provide drive through style COVID-19 nasal swab testing.
Clark, Chippewa, and Taylor Counties are partnering to host a community COVID-19 specimen collection event in Thorp on Wednesday, May 13. This event will run from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Anyone 5 years and older with at least one of the following symptoms: fever, cough, loss of taste/smell, shortness of breath, sore throat, fatigue, body aches, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, chills, or muscle aches can get tested. This event is only available to Wisconsin residents.
The event will be at the Thorp High School parking lot located at 605 South Clark Street in Thorp.
Due to the unknown amount of interest, prepare for potential wait time. 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.
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.
There are two goals with this event. 1) Provide the communities with mass testing, and allow local healthcare providers more time to increase their testing capacity. 2) Give public health better insight into how widespread COVID-19 is in communities.
“If we receive positive cases through this event, we will isolate those individuals and trace their contacts to further stop the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. If there are few positive cases, we can use this data to explore reopening activities. However, a lack of positive cases as a result of this event doesn’t mean we’re in the clear. It means we are doing a great job of limiting contacts and need to keep social distancing,” said Brittany Mews, Clark County health officer/director.
Following testing, people should return straight home. Please follow the full instructions that will be given to you after testing. Test results will be provided via phone by the National Guard or the public health department in a timely manner.
If there are questions about the event, call the Clark County Health Department at 715-743-5105 and select option 9 for the COVID-19 line, 2-1-1, or 877-947-2211 for non-WI area codes.
