Free COVID-19 Testing Sites In Milwaukee, Madison Draw Thousands

Three free COVID-19 testing sites opened Monday in Milwaukee and Madison, drawing thousands of people who waited for more than three hours for a test.

In Madison, the site is located at the Alliant Energy Center. In Milwaukee, the sites are located at the UMOS headquarters on the city’s south side and the Midtown Center on the city’s north side.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Wisconsin National Guard are working with local health departments to conduct free drive-thru and walk-up COVID-19 testing for all residents who request one.

In Milwaukee, lines at both locations stretched for miles and people waited for more than three hours to get tested.

Sandy Ross and her friend Cheryl Rice drove together to get the test at the UMOS headquarters. Neither think they have the virus, but both want to see their family members.

“I have an immune-compromised step-dad and two grand babies on the way,” Ross said. “So in order to see my grandchildren, I need to show a negative test.”

Rice’s mother and step-father are also immunocompromised, so she said she wanted a test for “piece of mind.”

“I would love to have the antibody test, truthfully, but I guess that isn’t available yet,” Rice said.

Several people who waited in line at UMOS said they thought the test would tell them if they had been previously exposed to the virus.

“I thought they would be able to tell you if you had it or not,” said Lloyd A. Root, who had been waiting in line for a test for about three hours. “After the wear and tear I put on this car today, I wouldn’t have come.”

There has been a rush by several manufacturers to create the antibody test. However, earlier this month, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration tightened its rules for such testing.

Julie King is a nurse at Horizon Hospice in Milwaukee who cares for coronavirus patients. One of her co-workers has tested positive for the virus and King’s mom died from the virus.

King doesn’t have any symptoms herself, but she wants the test.

“There are some days where I don’t feel good, but I figure if I don’t have any major symptoms, then I should be OK,” King said.

As of Monday afternoon, DHS reported Wisconsin had 10,418 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 409 people had died from coronavirus. In Milwaukee County, there were 4,051 cases and 221 deaths.

Health care officials have said more testing could cause the number of cases in the state to increase because so many people have been waiting for a test.

Testing is recommended because a person is most contagious with COVID-19 while they are asymptomatic, and they can have the virus for up to 14 days without knowing it, said Dr. Ben Weston, who heads Milwaukee County Office of Emergency Management. Whereas a person with influenza is most contagious when they have symptoms from the virus and are already at home.

Arthur Soto said he waited three hours and 13 minutes for his test Monday. He joked that the actual test, which was a swab in his nose, was the fastest part of the morning.

“You gotta be patient,” Soto said. “We need the virus to end. And if people don’t cooperate, it’s never going to stop.”

Lt. Col. Paul Felician was part of the National Guard unit assisting with testing at UMOS headquarters. He was surprised by how many people were in line, but said there were enough tests to accommodate everyone.

“We are preparing to adjust operations to meet the need,” Felician said. “If we have to cut off a little bit early, we will; but we will be here every day for the duration to support the city of Milwaukee. We are also looking at adjusting our capacity in the days going forward.”

Community Testing Sites:

• Midtown Center, 5760 W. Capitol Drive, in Milwaukee from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day of the week. Drive-thru or walk-up testing.
• UMOS headquarters, 2701 S. Chase Ave., in Milwaukee from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day of the week. Drive-thru or walk-up testing.
• Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, in Madison from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Drive-thru only.