County to offer 500 free COVID-19 tests next week
By Brandi Makuski
The Portage Co. Health Department will host a free COVID-19 drive-thru testing site next week.
With help from the Wisconsin National Guard, and in conjunction with the Wisconsin Dept. of Health Services, Portage Co. will administer 500 of the nasal swab tests to residents who exhibit at least one symptom of the coronavirus.
Stevens Point Fire Chief Robert Finn on Monday said National Guardsmen will be on-site to help perform contact tracing.
Stevens Point police will also be on the scene helping direct traffic. Assistant Chief Tom Zenner said he expects some roads may be closed off due to the heavy amount of traffic anticipated, but on May 5 didn’t immediately know the detour route.
The drive-up testing will be available in the back parking lot of Portage County Health and Human Services, at 817 Whiting Ave., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, May 11, and Tuesday, May 12.
According to a news release from the Portage Co. Health Department, anyone 5 years and older with at least one of the following symptoms will qualify for testing: fever, cough, loss of taste/smell, shortness of breath, sore throat, fatigue, body aches, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, chills, or muscle aches. Asymptomatic individuals will not be tested.
Generally, test results are known within 48 hours of samples being submitted, the department said.
Participants will be asked to provide a current address, county of residence, a phone number and answer screening questions.
Participants will need to remain in their vehicles at all times. Anyone tested will be advised to return directly home and self-isolate themselves for about 48 hours, until they receive their test results and further guidance from the health dept. Each participant will be informed of their results by phone.
The testing will provide a better understanding of the presence of the virus across Portage Co., according to Health Officer Gary Garske, which will allow for additional planning and preparation to isolate individuals with the virus and trace their contacts.
“If no additional cases are identified from this testing opportunity it won’t mean we’re in the clear,” Garske said. “It will support the fact that social distancing is working, and we need to continue ongoing testing efforts in our community to support reopening activities.”