Ascension Plover is an arm of St. Michael's hospital. (Metro Wire photo)

Ascension to launch drive-thru COVID-19 testing in Plover

March 25, 2020March 25, 2020

Metro Wire Staff

Ascension Medical Group Wisconsin is launching three drive-through testing locations for COVID-19 beginning on Thursday.

Sites in Plover, Rhinelander, and Crandon will open on March 26. Additional sites are currently in development, according to a news release from Ascension.

Individuals who wish to be tested at drive-through locations must first be pre-screened by an Ascension Medical Group provider by appointment, phone, or virtually using Ascension Online Care.

Those interested in this option for testing should contact their physician office.

This screening involves a series of questions about symptoms, travel history and any potential contact with COVID-19 patients. Patients who meet the criteria, which is based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, will schedule an appointment for drive-through testing at the appropriate site.

The sites that open Thursday are:

Ascension St. Michael’s – Plover, 2401 Plover Road, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., participants who have been screened and scheduled for drive-through testing should use entrance B in Plover.
Ascension St. Mary’s – Kabel Avenue, Rhinelander, 1044 Kabel Avenue. 8 a.m. -2 p. M.
Ascension St. Mary’s – Crandon, 400 West Glen Street, Crandon. Hours: 9 a.m. – Noon

All of these drive-through testing locations will be in operation Monday – Friday.

At the testing site, patients will remain in their vehicles. After verifying their identifies and providing insurance information, an Ascension associate will collect a throat culture and nasal swab samples. From there, the samples are transported to Quest and LabCorp for testing.

Ascension Medical Group Wisconsin will contact patients with results and the Wisconsin Department of Health will be alerted with any positive results.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild to severe and may appear 2-14 days after being exposed to the virus. Symptoms range from cold-like symptoms in mild cases to a fever, along with cough and shortness of breath, to more serious respiratory problems.

There also is an Ascension COVID19 Hotline set up for those who have questions about COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms, or those who want to receive a text message to schedule an Ascension Online Care appointment with a provider. The toll-free number for Wisconsin is 1-833-981-0711.