Gov. Tony Evers announced a plan Monday to make Wisconsin one of the top states in testing per capita, according to a news release, and that Wisconsin is prepared to provide 85,000 COVID-19 tests per week, ensuring that everyone in the state who needs a test receives a test.
“We’ve made great progress in expanding our testing capacity these last few weeks, and now we’re taking the next step to ensure our tests performed match our capacity,” said Gov. Evers. “Everyone in the state that needs a test should be tested, and through the Badger Bounce Back Plan, we’re taking a comprehensive approach to make sure that’s the case.”
The plan to increase testing includes four major goals: respond to every outbreak throughout the state, test every nursing home resident and staff member, establish community testing programs in target communities and make sure everyone who has COVID-19 symptoms gets a test.
To date, the state has provided over 60,000 tests to hospitals, clinics, local public health, long term care facilities, and other community partners, according to a press release, and 57 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties have requested and are receiving testing supplies from this program.
“To turn the dial in Wisconsin, we have to test everyone with symptoms,” said Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary-designee Andrea Palm in a statement. “From there, we move to contact tracing and getting those exposed to the virus in quarantine. Anyone with symptoms that include cough, shortness of breath, fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell please call your provider and get tested.”
