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Froedtert South opens drive-thru COVID-19 testing site in Kenosha Co.; Expect more in coming weeks

Posted at 9:17 AM, Mar 17, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-17 19:19:52-04

PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. -- Froedtert South opened the region's first drive-thru coronavirus testing site outside its Pleasant Prairie Clinic Tuesday morning. Testing is by appointment only.

Cars were rolling through the parking lot all day.

If you believe you have been exposed to the coronavirus or are experiencing symptoms, you first have to call (262) 671-7777 to get screened by a nurse. The staff member will then decide whether testing is warranted in the drive-thru outside the clinic, and make you an appointment.

Aaron Miller of Froedtert South’s Coronavirus Task Force said they wanted to get a drive-thru site up and running as soon as possible to avoid cross-contamination.

“We could still maintain patient appointments that were occurring in the clinic as they were normally scheduled,” Miller said.

He said testing takes about 10 minutes.

“The test is very quick and simple. They take two swabs. One through the nasal cavity and one through the mouth, bottle those up, send them off for testing and then usually within two or three days we're hoping to get results back,” Miller said.

Many of the drive-thru testing and screening tents popping up across the state and country are set up by Arena Americas in Oak Creek.

National Business Development Manager Peter Stemmeler said so far, nationally they’ve worked with more than 20 facilities to install drive-thru and screening sites, and in the state, nearly 10 facilities.

“It's a fluid situation where we're getting calls all the time, hour by hour,” Stemmeler said.

While Stemmeler can’t name specific locations, he said we should expect more in the area in the next two weeks, both in the parking lots outside health care providers and department stores.

“Really places that have large, open footprints where you can have cars go through there easily,” Stemmeler said.

A spokesperson for Aurora Health Care tells TMJ4 News a drive-thru site will open in Milwaukee at St. Luke’s Medical Center next week. They will also require appointments following a screening process by medical professionals.

The drive-thru site in Pleasant Prairie is located last 10256 Old Green Bay Rd. It will be open 6:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Saturdays, and closed on Sundays.

You can also call your health care provider or local health department if you’re looking to get tested for the coronavirus.

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