Free COVID-19 Testing in Marathon County with National Guard Assistance

Wausau, WI – Marathon County Health Department and Lincoln County Health Department are coordinating with the Wisconsin National Guard to provide free COVID-19 testing in Central Wisconsin. The National Guard will be providing drive-through style COVID-19 nasal swab testing in Wausau Tuesday, May 19th from 11 am-7 pm at Northcentral Technical College at 1000 W. Campus Dr., Wausau, Wi 54401.

No appointments are necessary. Anyone 5 years and older with any current symptom are eligible for testing. Symptoms include fever, cough, loss of taste/smell, shortness of breath, sore throat, fatigue, body aches, diarrhea, vomiting or nausea, chills, and/or muscle aches. Also, individuals getting testing should be prepared to provide a current address, county of residence, and phone number when they arrive for testing. First responders, corrections officers, and other law enforcement are also welcome to be tested.

Please be aware that the testing will be provided first come, first serve and that attendees may have to wait to be tested. Vehicles (cars, horse drawn buggies, etc.) will form a line while waiting for testing, and all attendees will need to stay in or on their vehicle at all times. No restroom facilities will be available onsite; please plan accordingly. The National Guard will be performing a nasal swab to test patients for COVID-19. They will be in uniform and in full PPE (personal protective equipment including gowns, mask, gloves, etc.) during this event.

There are two main goals for this event. 1) Provide our communities with mass testing. 2) Give public health better insight into how widespread COVID-19 is in our communities. Following this event, we will continue to support our local healthcare providers as they continue building their capacity to meet patient demand.

“We feel that by expanding testing, we will be better able to track and manage the spread of disease,” said Joan Theurer, Marathon County Health Officer. “It should be noted that anyone who gets tested will be asked to quarantine themselves until their test results are returned. Individuals who seek testing should be aware of this restriction prior to seeking a test.”

Following testing, people should return straight home and follow the instructions given at the testing site, which include self-quarantine until the test results are returned. Test results will be provided via phone by the National Guard or your local health department in a timely manner.

If you have questions or immediate needs related to COVID-19, call 2-1-1 or text COVID-19 to 211211.