The Lincoln County Health Department will partner with the Wisconsin National Guard to offer free COVID-19 testing in Merrill on Thursday.
The drive-thru testing will be available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Merrill Festival Grounds.
It’s open to anyone with any COVID-19 symptom.
Lincoln County Public Health Educator Kristin Bath said it’s something the community has wanted.
“That’s one of the major goals of why we’re working with the National Guard to offer this event. We wanted to provide free, accurate testing to the community. That has been something that has come up. People have voiced that they would like to see this come to Lincoln County,” Bath said.
The test is conducted by nasal swab.
National Guardsmen and Guardswomen will be wearing full personal protective equipment as they take tests from patients.
“It takes about three to seven days for the results to come in. During that time, it’s expected that people stay home. In case they do have COVID-19, we want them to stay home so they’re not spreading it to others,” Bath said.
Anyone who tests positive will be asked to participate in a contact tracing program.