APPLETON (NBC 26) — Health officials in Appleton are working to meet increased demand for COVID-19 testing with an additional testing site and continued mobile locations.
The city of Appleton opened a COVID-19 testing site at the former Best Buy building, 2411 S. Kensington Dr., on Tuesday.
“I’ve heard it’s difficult right now. Some people can’t get a test two weeks out, or they’re not getting test results back," said Cassidy Walsh, city of Appleton emergency management coordinator. "I did quite a bit of research in the supply that we have here in the city of Appleton, and with the amount of demand we just didn’t have enough supply to meet it. So we decided to bring another testing asset to the city of Appleton."
The Wisconsin National Guard will conduct testing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Tuesday through Dec. 14. for anyone over the age of one.
City officials said walk-ins are welcomed. No appointments are required. People can pre-register to speed up the process.
As COVID-19 case numbers continue to rise, Walsh said they hope the new testing site will help bridge the gap between supply and demand.
"Back when we thought we could close our former testing site, cases were decreasing and the demand for testing wasn't really there. So the places that were available for testing in Appleton could handle that," Walsh said. "But now that cases are increasing, testing demand is increasing. And our places that were testing are getting overwhelmed with the amount of tests that they were asking for."
ThedaCare continues to work with state and local health officials to offer several mobile testing sites in the Fox Valley this week. In a press release, the health system said it can help meet increased demand for testing "as COVID-19 cases continue to rise exponentially due to the more-contagious and more-severe Delta variant."
The drive-thru testing is free. Appointments for mobile testing are required. Rapid testing is available at the following locations from 8 a.m. to 4:30 pm. PCR testing is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sept. 21: Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium, 2400 N. Casaloma Dr., Appleton
- Sept. 22: ThedaCare Physicians-Neenah, 333 North Green Bay Road, Neenah
- Sept. 23: Christ the Rock Community Church, W6254 US-10 #114, Menasha
- Sept. 24: Guardian Building, 2300 E. Capitol Dr., Appleton
