UW System extends COVID surge testing site operations to mid-January

Metro Wire Staff

The UW System will continue operating COVID-10 surge testing sites until mid-January, according to President Tommy Thompson.

Free rapid-response COVID-19 testing is being made available to community members as well as students and employees at sites across Wisconsin located on or near UW System university campuses.

The sites have now administered over 166,000 Abbott BinaxNOW tests since opening in early November, a news release from Thompson’s office said.

The sites were initially going to operate through mid-December but have since gained additional support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The UW System surge testing sites are the first in the country to use the new Abbott BinaxNOW tests. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has provided 250,000 of the tests, and staffing support is available through eTrueNorth.

Persons who want to receive a rapid-results test—available in about 15 minutes—should register at www.doineedacovid19test.com or call 1-800-653-8611. 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 with 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.

“Frequent testing is critical to minimizing the spread of COVID-19,” said President Thompson. “With this extension, the UW System will continue to ensure that anyone who wants a test, can get a test.”