Wisconsin Guard conducting mobile testing around state

By Wisconsin National GuardMay 21, 2020

Wisconsin Guard conducting mobile testing around state
The Wisconsin National Guard has collected more than 58,000 COVID-19 test specimens at sites across Wisconsin like this one. (Photo Credit: Wisconsin National Guard) VIEW ORIGINAL

MADISON, Wis. – More than 600 Citizen-Soldiers and -Airmen with the Wisconsin National Guard have tested 58,093 people for COVID-19 in a continuing statewide mission.

The Guard’s 25 specimen collection teams are supporting local health departments and the Wisconsin Department of Health Services to increase the state’s COVID-19 testing capacity.

The teams established mobile testing sites at correctional facilities, health clinics, private businesses, and community-based testing sites (CBTS).

After collecting the specimens at each site, Wisconsin National Guard troops send the test kits to a state lab for analysis. People receive their results via a phone call from their local health department or a state call center within three to five days.

Sites where testing continues include:

Brown County: Operations began at the Resch Center April 30 for focused testing for select businesses and their families. The Resch Center site opened for community-based testing May 4. As of May 21, nearly 7,500 specimens had been collected. A second Guard team collected nearly 4,150 specimens at a CBTS at Casa ALBA in Green Bay May 6.

Dane County: Two teams established a CBTS May 11 at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, where more than 5,250 specimens have been collected.

La Crosse County: One team established a CBTS at the Omni Center in Onalaska May 21.

Manitowoc County: One team established a CBTS at the Manitowoc County Expo Grounds May 21.

Milwaukee County: One team continues to support two local health clinics after arriving in Milwaukee the week of April 20. Three teams established a CBTS May 11 at 2701 S. Chase Avenue (UMOS) and collected 8,589 specimens. Three teams also set up a CBTS May 11 at 5760 W. Capitol Drive and collected 7,068 specimens. Since May 19, a team has collected more than 750 samples at the Milwaukee Secure Detention Center.

Oneida County: One team established a CBTS at Rhinelander High School in Rhinelander May 21.

Outagamie County: One team has collected nearly 2,500 specimens at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton. The site also supports Winnebago and Calumet counties.

Racine County: One team established a CBTS at Festival Hall in Racine May 18 and has collected over 1,500 specimens. One team is collecting specimens at an industrial facility in Burlington.

Rock County: Two teams established CBTS at Krueger Park and Telfer Park in Beloit May 15 and collected nearly 1,800 samples.

Testing was completed at numerous sites in 37 counties.

In addition, approximately 30 troops are working at a call center that informs people of their COVID-19 test results.

The testing missions are among numerous roles performed by the Wisconsin National Guard across the state since Gov. Tony Evers declared a public health emergency March 12.

Nearly 1,400 Guard members are supporting the state’s response to COVID-19, part of a nationwide National Guard force of almost 46,000 troops helping in the fight against the coronavirus.

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