Saturday in the Park.
Testing 1, 2, 3…
A recent Associated Press story tells a tale of woe regarding the lack of COVID19 testing throughout the United States. According to the story -
Rapid, widespread testing is considered essential to tracking and containing the coronavirus. But 41 of the nation’s 50 states fail to test widely enough to drive their infections below a key benchmark, according to an AP analysis of metrics developed by Harvard’s Global Health Institute.
I’m aware of only one active testing done during two days in the past week in nearby Ashland, Wisconsin. The testing site was able to handle 200 tests per day and requested only those who were exhibiting COVID19 symptoms come to be tested. According to Senator Tammy Baldwin, in a recent email sent out -
Any Wisconsin resident over the age of 5 experiencing COVID-19 symptoms is welcome at these sites. Learn more about COVID-19 symptoms here.
Each site may have different requirements. Some sites may ask you to stay in your car. Other sites will screen you before you come indoors. Many sites will require an appointment before you arrive.
Looking at the information provided in Senator Baldwin’s email I find that the closest free testing site to me is 115 miles away in Minocqua, Wisconsin. The email goes on to say -
Additional information on this free testing:
Turnaround time for test results is typically 24-48 hours. During this time, it is important that you avoid contact with others
This is a nasal swab test
Testing is free of charge
Wisconsin has made great progress in slowing the spread of COVID-19. Let’s continue to put public health and safety first. We are all in this together.
So is Wisconsin one of the laggard states in testing? Apparently as Senator Baldwin states, Wisconsin has made great progress in slowing the spread and even possibly flattening the curve of the COVID19 pandemic here in Wisconsin.
Status | Number (%) of People as of 5/16/2020 |
Negative Test Results | 134,206 |
Positive Test Results | 12,187 |
Hospitalizations | 2,018 (17%) |
Deaths | 453 |
This is a cumulative or running total for the state from what I can tell. According to Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) they have completed 6,051 tests today.
While our northwest portion of Wisconsin appears to be releaively free of COVID19 cases and symptoms, it doesn’t seem that testing is a real priority in this part of the state. Do we know, or can we find out how many of the 5.8 million residents of the state have been tested, and by when the DHS will have the eitirety of the states residents tested? Inquiring minds want to know.
