MILWAUKEE — Despite a shut down due to an overwhelming number of people wanting COVID-19 tests on Monday, health officials say testing is not reaching capacity across the Badger state. There were 16,528 tests for COVID-19 done across the state on Monday, with a record number of 5,262 positive cases.
Sites like Miller Park saw thousands turn out to get a test. The site had to stop the line at 4:30 p.m., 90 minutes before closing time, because they had already exceeded capacity. The site is supposed to accommodate 2,000 tests a day. Monday it did 2,326. Health officials say Monday is always the busiest because many of the community sites are closed on Sunday.
Despite this, Wisconsin Department of Health Secretary designee Andrea Palm says capacity is much higher.
“We still do have capacity in the system for those who want to get tests, it’s why you continue to hear us encouraging people to get tested if they need a test” said Palm.
Labs across the state can handle as many as 42,000 tests a day, but are only seeing about 30,000 on average.
On Tuesday, lines were much shorter at Miller Park and those in line waited about 25 minutes for a test. Milwaukee City health officials say they are working on additional weekend hours at the community sites in the days and weeks to come.