Pierce County welcomes a new COVID-19 community testing site thanks to the support of Pierce Pepin Cooperative Services (PPCS) and the Wisconsin Army National Guard. Starting Monday October 19th, PPCS will provide heated drive-thru garage space for weekly COVID-19 testing. PPCS is located at the corner or Hwy 10 and Hwy 63 in Ellsworth. Tests will be administered by the Wisconsin Army National Guard.

AZ Snyder, Health Office/Public Health Director states, “Having easy access to testing in rural communities can be challenging, but thanks to our partners who made this site possible, many more families and individuals will not have to travel as far for testing this fall.”

Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms or who has been in close contact with someone who tested positive for the virus is eligible for testing. Please note the following:

•Testing at this site will be available on Mondays, from 10AM to 6PM, starting this week through December 7th.

•All testing is drive-up without appointments. Pre-registration on the day of your test is recommended in order to speed up the testing process: https://register.covidconnect. wi.gov/

•Please enter the testing site on Hwy 63.

•The test is for any Wisconsin resident who has symptoms or is a close contact of someone who has tested positive.

•The test is free and no insurance is needed.

•Parents/guardians must be present to consent for testing minors aged 5 to 17.

Additional free testing sites are available in the region. These sites can be found on the WI DHS website: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/communitytesting. htm For more information about symptoms and testing, visit the Pierce County COVID-19 Hub: https://covidpiercecounty- wi.hub.arcgis.com/.