For the Hub City Times

ABBOTSFORD – Marathon County Health Department and Clark County Health Department provided COVID-19 testing for 411 individuals July 9-10, with the aid of the Wisconsin National Guard and Family Health/La Clinica. The event provided drive-through and walk-up style COVID-19 nasal swab testing in Abbotsford.

Results are still returning, but the health department has identified over 31 additional positive cases as of July 14 for the individuals that presented for testing. Officials are urging community members to follow social distancing guidelines and to stay home if they are feeling sick.

No one was turned away. Anyone five years and older with any current symptom was strongly encouraged to test. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, loss of taste/smell, shortness of breath, sore throat, fatigue, body aches, diarrhea, vomiting or nausea, chills, and/or muscle aches.

“We strive to offer accessible testing as it is a key strategy in controlling the spread of COVID-19,” said Marathon County Health Officer Joan Theurer. “It’s important to have testing available to anyone who believes they may have been exposed.”

Patients were made aware at the event that if they receive a positive test result, a public health staff member would call them and walk them through the next steps.

Until the result is delivered, the health departments asks that all symptomatic individuals stay home and refrain from attending, work, school, church, or any other public event and to self quarantine. Individuals will be contacted with results within 3-7 days and participants are strongly encouraged to pick up the phone for unknown numbers during that time, as it may be their COVID test results.