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County tests 178 people

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Members of the Wisconsin National Guard prepare to test people for COVID-19 on May 28, at the Waupaca County Fairgrounds in Weyauwega. Angie Landsverk Photo

COVID-19 testing at fairgrounds

By Angie Landsverk


A total of 178 people were tested for COVID-19 on May 28, at the Waupaca County Fairgrounds in Weyauwega.

“The majority of those tested were Waupaca County residents. We did have individuals from other counties participate, Jed Wohlt, the county’s public health officer told the Waupaca County Post.

He said the tests were sent to the laboratory that is processing all of the tests for the public test sites.

“Results should be received within seven days of the sampling date,” Wohlt said. “We have started to see results come in.”

The free testing in Waupaca County was open to all Wisconsin residents.

The testing capacity was 400 tests.

“We wanted to offer the testing site as an opportunity for more individuals to get tested,” he said.

Wohlt and Andy Carlin, the county’s emergency management director, jointly submitted the application to conduct testing with the Wisconsin National Guard.

It had to be submitted to the Wisconsin National Guard and Wisconsin Department of Health Services, he said.

“We utilized the new Pavilion building as our sample collection site, which worked excellent for allowing vehicles to drive into two testing lanes in the building and drive out towards the one-way exit,” Wohlt said.

He said the Waupaca County Highway Department provided support by setting up the fairgrounds with directional cones and signage.

There was also support from the Waupaca County Parks and Recreation Department, Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office and Weyauwega Police Department, Wohlt said.

Testing was available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on May 28.

Wohlt said there were “some early arrivals, but they waited patiently in line until we were ready to get started at 11 a.m.”

Most of the people went through in the first two to four hours, he said.

After that, there was a smaller but steady stream of vehicles in the later afternoon, Wohlt said.

He said the process was a smooth one.

“Our Public Health and Emergency Management teams did an outstanding job of preparing and managing the testing site,” Wohlt said. “The National Guard was incredible to work with throughout the process.”

The Wisconsin National Guard provided 29 soldiers for the county’s testing site, he said.

“We really feel fortunate that they were available to help us,” Wohlt said. “We would not have been able to have the testing site without them.”

He noted there may be more community testing sites available.

People may visit www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/testing.htm to find them.

“I just want to remind everyone that if you are experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, or have other reasons or concerns, contact your medical provider,” Wohlt said.

COVID-19 symptoms

• Fever above 100.4 degrees.

• Cough.

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

• Sore throat.

• Headache.

• Chills or rigors (repetitive shaking chills).

• Muscle aches.

• New abnormalities in taste or smell.

Symptoms are mild for many people, with no fever.

Some experience fatigue or gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nauseau, vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal pain.

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