The Lincoln County Health Department will offer free weekly COVID-19 testing.

It’s collaborating with the Wisconsin National Guard, Merrill Area Public Schools, and the Merrill Fire Department. 

People will be able to get tested every Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Starting this week, the drive-thru testing site will be at the MAPS building at 2004 East 10th Street in Merrill. 

The testing is meant for people who are showing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been identified as close contacts.

Cold weather is coming and experts say it is never to early to prepare vehicles for winter weather.

Driving through rough weather can be difficult at times, and even dangerous if unprepared for a potential breakdown.

Experts have the two key tips for winter car preparation:

• Have an emergency kit that includes jumper cables and gloves
• Prepare tires for winter

Not preparing tires for snowy and icy roads is a mistake many make.

The Lincoln County Health Department confirmed Friday a fifth death in Lincoln County associated with COVID-19. The person who died was in their 80’s and had underlying health conditions. 

Lincoln County Health Department Director Shelley Hersil said they were saddened by the loss of a community member, and extended sympathies to their loved ones and all impacted.

Price County is reporting its first death due to COVID-19. The Price County Health Department said the person was an elderly resident.

“We are saddened by the loss of one our community members,” said Michelle Edwards, Health Officer. “We extend our sympathies to their loved ones and all impacted.”

State COVID -19 Update

The latest death comes as Wisconsin breaks its record of daily COVID-19 cases for the third time this week.

The Department of Health Services is reporting 3,861 new COVID-19 cases Friday.

The Department of Health Services is upgrading its Wisconsin Electronic Disease Surveillance System.

This is the system the state uses to collect and share data related to COVID-19.

The upgrade will improve tools for contact tracing, automate data entry, enhance security features, and strengthen the system to accommodate the increase in cases.

It will be upgraded this weekend starting Friday night.

During the upgrade, data on the DHS website will not be updated.

The Marathon County Health Department will be offering free COVID-19 testing weekly.

It will be on Tuesdays with the help of the Wisconsin National Guard. The event will a be a drive-thru, nasal swab testing.

People can get registered online ahead of time. It’s being held at the Marathon County Emergency Management Office, 1308 West Street, Wausau.

The health department said the testing is open to people who are symptomatic or close contacts of a positive test.

A food box distribution happens Friday in St. Germain. 

The distribution runs from noon until 5:00 p.m. at the St. Germain Town Park pavilion.

Vilas County Director of Emergency Management Sherri Congleton says they received the offer of 1,200 boxes of food on Monday.  They reached out to the group Feed Our Rural Kids or “FORK”, which agreed to help with the distribution.

More than 50 cities or towns in 33 Wisconsin Counties are still in critical need of poll workers.

Between those places, about 180 people are needed.

There is a list of places by county that still have a need of poll workers on the My Vote Wisconsin website.

Wisconsin’s Chief Election Official Megan Wolfe said that list and those numbers will fluctuate between now election day.