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Miller Park COVID-19 testing site 'overwhelmed' with people getting tested

Posted at 6:19 PM, Nov 13, 2020
and last updated 2020-11-13 19:19:30-05

MILWAUKEE — The Milwaukee Health Department says the Miller Park testing site is now overwhelmed every day.

As the site opened up for testing Friday just before 11 a.m., cars wrapped through the stadium's outer parking lot, across the bridge to the end of the freeway exit ramp. Although the line moved quickly, usually getting people in and out in under an hour, it continued to be a busy day.

“My wife has a couple of coworkers that tested positive, so I am just trying to stay proactive and make sure I’m not spreading the virus,” said Byron Bye, who was waiting to get tested.

“My husband is not feeling well and I’m not feeling well,” said Tess Munich, who was also waiting to get tested.

Miller Park is designed to test up to 2,000 people a day for COVID-19 according to the health department.

The numbers are exceeding that:

Thursday, November 12th: 2453 tests

Wednesday, November 11th: 2498 tests

Tuesday, November 10th: 2174 tests

Monday, November 9th: 2805

Friday, November 6th: 2505

The health department says if you have symptoms or an exposure you should come to get tested. However, they say if you have another option besides the Miller Park testing site, like a primary care doctor, considering going there first.

“There are times when you are going to have to wait. There are times during the day when it is going to be busier. Mondays tend to be extremely busy. So if there are other days or other areas, where you can get tested we are encouraging people to go there,” said Marlaina Jackson, Acting Health Commissioner of the Milwaukee Health Department.

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COVID testing advice, bewildering experts
FILE - In this July 24, 2020, file photo, healthcare worker Rahaana Smith instructs passengers how to use a nasal swab, at a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)

The health department also reminds people if you have been exposed to make sure you are waiting at least 3-5 days before getting tested so you don’t get a false negative.

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