Wausau, WI – Marathon County Health Department and Clark County Health Department are coordinating with the Wisconsin National Guard to provide free COVID-19 testing in Central Wisconsin. The National Guard will be providing drive-through and walk-up style COVID-19 nasal swab testing in Abbotsford Friday, May 29th from 8 am-5 pm at the Abbotsford High School parking lot, 307 N. 4th Ave., Abbotsford, Wisconsin 54405.
No appointments are necessary. Anyone 5 years and older with any current symptom are eligible for testing. Symptoms include fever, cough, loss of taste/smell, shortness of breath, sore throat, fatigue, body aches, diarrhea, vomiting or nausea, chills, and/or muscle aches. Also, individuals getting testing should be prepared to provide a current address, county of residence, and phone number when they arrive for testing.
Please be aware that the testing will be provided first come, first serve and that attendees may experience a wait. It is requested that modes of transportation (cars, horse drawn buggies, etc.) form a line while waiting for testing. People will remain in their modes of transportation for testing and no restroom facilities will be available onsite, please plan accordingly. Walk up testing will be provided as well and will also be tested on a first-come first-serve basis.
The National Guard will be performing a nasal swab to test patients for COVID-19. They will be in uniform and in full PPE (personal protective equipment including gowns, mask, gloves, etc.) during this event. Individuals will be contacted with results within 3-5 days.
There are two main goals for this event. 1) Provide our communities with mass testing. 2) Give public health better insight into how widespread COVID-19 is in our communities. Following this event, we will continue to support our local healthcare providers as they continue building their capacity to meet patient demand.
“Anyone who gets tested who has symptoms will be asked to self-quarantine until they receive their results.” said Joan Theurer, Marathon County Health Officer. “The test is quick, easy, and free for the public.”
Following testing, people should return straight home and follow the instructions given at the testing site, which include self-quarantine until the test results are returned. Test results will be provided via phone by the National Guard or the Department of Health Services.
Media are invited to attend between 8:00 am and 9:30 am, and will be asked to avoid photograph patients or their cars unless consent from the patient is given.
If you have questions or immediate needs related to COVID-19, call 2-1-1 or text COVID-19 to 211211. For up-to-date information, please visit the Marathon County Health Department website and Facebook page.
This situation continues to evolve rapidly. For the latest information, visit the CDC’s coronavirus website, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website, or the Marathon County Health Department webpage or follow us on Facebook.
Author: News Desk
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