Richland Center, WI: Richland County Emergency Management Director, Darin Gudgeon announced the number of individuals tested at the routine FREE COVID-19 community testing events held this week. On December 14th 56 individuals were tested and another 70 individuals were tested on December 17th. University of Wisconsin-Platteville Richland Dean Brandon Fetterly announced that 100 individuals were tested at their event on December 16th. The results of these 226 tests will be included in the appropriate county’s totals once they are received and verified.
Richland County will offer their final FREE COVID-19 drive-thru community testing event to our citizens in December on MONDAY, December 21st from 9am-Noon (or until all tests are administered). There are NO FREE COVID-19 testing events being offered in Richland County the week of December 28th. However, with the turn of the new year, drive-thru community testing events will be offered again on MONDAYS from 9am-Noon (or until all tests are administered) and on THURSDAYS from 9am-3pm at the Richland County Fairgrounds. Appointments are not required, but it is requested that those who wish to be tested pre-register at https://register.covidconnect.wi.gov. The website allows individuals to register for testing in advance with their personal information and gives them a QR code to scan at the testing site. Individuals who utilize this option will receive an email with their test results rather than a phone call. The Richland County Fairgrounds is a drive-thru testing site, so everyone will remain in their vehicles at all times. Vehicles with more than one person in them are welcome to be tested. You will be asked screening questions as you enter, if you did not pre-register, and the test will consist of a nasal swab. The test will then be sent to a State approved lab and results follow-up should occur approximately 3-7 business days post event.
The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Richland continues to study whether or not they will be able to continue to offer FREE COVID-19 testing events on WEDNESDAYS in 2021. Additional information can be found at https://www.uwplatt.edu/news/update-coronavirus.
The Richland County Events on MONDAYS are only for Richland County residents who meet specific testing criteria. The WI National Guard Events on THURSDAYS are open to Richland County residents and those in our surrounding communities (age 5 and older) who are experiencing one or more symptoms of COVID-19 and for asymptomatic individuals per Public Health recommendations.
Tests will be available on a FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVE basis. The FREE COVID-19 Testing schedule for events offered in Richland County are as follows:
| DECEMBER 2020 | |||
| Monday, December 21st | 9am-Noon | Richland County Fairgrounds | Richland County Event |
| JANUARY 2021 | |||
| Monday, January 4th | 9am-Noon | Richland County Fairgrounds | Richland County Event |
| Thursday, January 7th | 9am-3pm | Richland County Fairgrounds | WI National Guard Event |
| Monday, January 11th | 9am-Noon | Richland County Fairgrounds | Richland County Event |
| Thursday, January 14th | 9am-3pm | Richland County Fairgrounds | WI National Guard Event |
| Monday, January 18th | 9am-Noon | Richland County Fairgrounds | Richland County Event |
| Thursday, January 21st | 9am-3pm | Richland County Fairgrounds | WI National Guard Event |
| Monday, January 25th | 9am-Noon | Richland County Fairgrounds | Richland County Event |
| Thursday, January 28th | 9am-3pm | Richland County Fairgrounds | WI National Guard Event |
This schedule is subject to change.
Richland County residents are encouraged to sign-up for NIXLE alerts by texting 53581 to 888777 or go to www.nixle.com to sign-up to receive emails. You will then receive up-to-date alerts regarding local COVID testing sites and clinics, severe weather, public safety, criminal activities, missing persons, traffic issues, and local events.
For the most up-to-date COVID-19 information, follow Richland County Health & Human Services on Facebook or consult the following websites:
- Richland County: https://covid.co.richland.wi.us
- The Greater Richland Area Chamber of Commerce: www.gorcchamber.com
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/
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