APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Demand for COVID-19 testing has shot up, and now additional sites are opening to meet that demand.
Bellin Health’s Shelly LaFond says the reason is simple: more places, like schools, are requiring them regularly.
“Many of the schools went back to in-person learning and have testing protocols for the students, which sometimes require them to show proof of a negative test, before they can come back,” said LaFond, team leader of business operations for primary care at Bellin Health.
This, as many employees also began heading back to the office.
“We are experiencing some level of ask, as well, for companies who are looking to do some testing; just routine testing,” LaFond said. “Those volumes aren’t really going to our clinics, at this time.”
If we’ve learned one thing about the delta variant, it’s that it doesn’t discriminate. And, whether you’re vaccinated or not, the possibility of being infected is still there – another reason why testing could be up again.
“You really don’t know for sure,” Margaret Blea of Appleton said. “This variant is very toxic, and you can catch it anywhere.”
Margaret Blea and her dad Ruben Blea stood outside at Appleton’s newest testing site at the former Best Buy location. The site offers COVID-19 tests to anyone experiencing symptoms, or who has been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.
“A half hour ago, we got a call from a friend, and they were scared,” Ruben Blea said. “They said, ‘I just found out I have it,’ and so for us to be safe, we come down here.”
Ruben’s daughter Margaret had also been in close contact with the COVID-positive individual recently.
“I was around him, like this morning and yesterday!” she said. “We’ll do the responsible thing and come here. I mean, better safe than sorry, right?”
Appleton isn’t alone in opening new testing sites, due to the increase demand.
ThedaCare recently announced that it’s adding another mobile testing unit.
And, in addition to Bellin’s current testing sites, the healthcare system is looking to start up new ones, as well.
“We are also looking, at this time, at setting up another testing site in our Peshtigo area for that Marinette-Peshtigo area that is experiencing some high demand, so we can make sure we’re kinda meeting the needs of our community,” said LaFond.
But even with the uptick in testing, healthcare systems still see a light at the end of this tunnel.
“We’re kinda in that uphill battle, but hopefully we’re at the top of the hill, and we find ourselves coming back down,” LaFond said.
The city of Appleton does not require appointments at its new COVID testing site but says registering ahead will help speed up the process.
ThedaCare has also released all of its locations where you can now get tested, along with an update to its dates.
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