Richland Center, WI: Richland County Emergency Management Director, Darin Gudgeon announced the number of individuals tested at the FREE COVID-19 drive-thru community testing events held in late December. On December 16th 18 individuals were tested, another 28 individuals were tested on December 20th, and 28 individuals were tested on December 27th. The results of these 74 tests were included in the appropriate county’s totals once they were received and verified. Gudgeon reports “unfortunately, we were not able to offer any testing events this week due to the frigid temperatures and there will be no additional testing offered on Thursdays at this time. Richland County would like to extend a sincere THANK YOU to the Wisconsin National Guard for their sacrifice and attentiveness when offering local testing to our Richland County citizens. Their expertise and professionalism was very much appreciated throughout this pandemic response.”
FREE COVID-19 drive-thru community testing events will continue in Richland County on MONDAYS ONLY from 9am-11am at the Richland County Fairgrounds at least through the end of January WEATHER PERMITTING. Appointments are not required, but we are asking that those who wish to be tested pre-register at https://register.covidconnect.wi.gov. The schedule is as follows (subject to change):
| Monday, January 10th | 9am-11am | Richland County Fairgrounds | Richland County Event |
| Monday, January 17th | 9am-11am | Richland County Fairgrounds | Richland County Event |
| Monday, January 24th | 9am-11am | Richland County Fairgrounds | Richland County Event |
| Monday, January 31st | 9am-11am | Richland County Fairgrounds | Richland County Event |
Gudgeon states “we apologize for any inconvenience that closing down testing sites may have caused; however, the Richland County Fairgrounds is a drive-thru testing site, so everyone tested remains in their vehicles at all times, but the professionals and equipment used to perform the tests are routinely exposed to the cold weather. It is just not possible to conduct a safe drive-thru testing event in frigid temperatures. The technique of swabbing the nose for secretions to be analyzed for the COVID-19 virus is a medical procedure, and for the health and safety of our staff and those wanting a test, we will only hold testing events on Mondays if the outside temperature is 18 degrees or warmer.”
Individuals who are symptomatic and need a test, should contact the Richland Hospital Clinic at 608-647-6321 or their primary healthcare provider. Individuals who are asymptomatic (without symptoms) or have had an exposure and need a test for school, work or travel, should contact the Center Pharmacy at 608-647-8918 or Boscobel Pharmacy at 608-375-4466. Appointments and masks are required at all locations.
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 vaccination 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
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services: www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/