New testing sites to open in Waukesha, Milwaukee and Burlington over the next week
WISCONSIN (CBS 58) -- One goal of Gov. Tony Evers' Badger Bounce Back plan is to have 12,000 tests per day across the state. Multiple counties in southeastern Wisconsin are announcing plans to open new sites over the next week.
The Wisconsin National Guard will staff a new sites in Waukesha County, a new site in Burlington and two new sites in Milwaukee. Each site will have between 20 and 30 soldiers.
By next week, the guard will have a total of 25 teams -- totaling about 700 citizen soldiers -- able to conduct nasal swab tests, according to spokesperson Capt. Joe Trovato.
"We've been setting up a number of different specimen collection sites all around the state and all over southeastern Wisconsin as well to assist these communities," Trovato said.
A new drive-through testing site will open for three days at the Waukesha County Expo Center. Wisconsin residents or people who work in the state can get tested on Saturday, May 9, Monday, May 11 or Tuesday, May 12 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. They have to be showing symptoms.
"(Testing) is one of the criteria that we need to have a good handle on to move forward with the economy and get things reopened," said Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow.
Up to 300 people can be tested each day, but they need to make an appointment. They can call (262) 548-7626 to register to be tested. The registration hotline will be open from Wednesday, May 6 through Monday, May 11 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
"This gives us an ability to see what the disease prevalence is in the community so that public health can be in contact with people who are confirmed cases of COVID-19," said Elizabeth Laatsch, public health coordinator for the Waukesha County Public Health Division.
Two new sites will open in Milwaukee on Monday, city officials announced Thursday. The sites, which will be located in a north side parking lot at 57th and Capitol and at the UMOS headquarters on the south side, will be able to conduct up to 500 tests per day. People can walk or drive up and do not need an appointment.
County Executive David Crowley said the county is especially encouraging essential workers and people who are symptomatic to get tested, but the Milwaukee sites are open to everyone regardless of insurance status.
In Racine County, a new drive-thru site will be open at Burlington High School for five days. Wisconsin residents or people who work in Wisconsin who are showing COVID-19 symptoms can go get tested Monday, May 11 through Friday, May 15 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
"More testing will give us a better understanding of how the disease is being transmitted throughout the community," said Mark Schaaf, communications and media relations director for Racine County.
Up to 300 tests can be conducted each day at the Burlington site. No appointment is necessary.