MILWAUKEE — A new drive-thru mass COVID-19 testing site opens Monday in Milwaukee's Menomonee River Valley.
The Milwaukee Health Department is opening the new test site, located at 2401 W. St. Paul Ave., after closing the test site at American Family Field earlier this year. The site is located in the former Department of Transportation emissions testing facility.
The new drive-thru will be open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, from 12 to 6 p.m.; as well as Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“Testing remains an extremely important element in our fight against the COVID-19 virus,” said Mayor Tom Barrett. “Having a centrally located site helps us continue to provide free, accessible, and convenient testing to the most residents.”
“Now we’re going to re-purpose it for a COVID drive-thru testing station and we’re going to add vaccines as well,” said Dr. Nick Tomaro with the city’s health department.
“I’m glad they have it. I don’t have time to go to the other sites,” said Dennis Dupas, who got tested on Monday.
Others said they're happy to see testing in another central location.
“I think it’s nice to be able to drive through without being able to leave your car,” said Emily Herrick, who also was tested after coming in close contact with a colleague.
The new testing site comes as pharmaceutical company Merck applies for emergency use authorization for a COVID-19 pill. If approved, the pill would be used as a treatment to quell symptoms after someone has tested positive for the virus.
“At home treatment of mild to moderate illness of progression of the disease would be a critical step to avoiding hospitalizations and deaths,” said Dr. Ben Weston of the Medical College of Wisconsin.
A game changing treatment, alongside a central testing location, gives people like Dennis Dupas hope moving forward throughout the pandemic.
“It’s important, I want to feel good. That’s the name of the game,” he said.
In addition to the new location, you can still get tested at these existing sites, the Milwaukee Health Department says:
- Northwest Health Center (7630 W. Mill Rd.) (Monday and Friday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 12 until 6 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.)
- Southside Health Center (1639 S. 23rd St.) (Monday and Friday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 12 until 6 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.)
“We are appreciative of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation for contributing this centrally-located building for drive-through testing,” said Milwaukee Health Commissioner Kirsten Johnson. “Navigating the COVID-19 pandemic and keeping Milwaukee residents safe is an all-hands-on-deck effort, and we’re incredibly grateful for all our community partners, such as the DOT and the Milwaukee Brewers, for stepping up and helping us fight this virus.”
Get more information about COVID-19 testing and locations here..