Milwaukee COVID testing high demand, 1 in 5 positive

MILWAUKEE - COVID-19 is changing the way we're bringing in the new year. Turner Hall's New Year's Eve concert has been pushed back an entire year, and we've seen long lines at testing sites. The Milwaukee Health Department says one in five tests is coming back positive. This, as omicron becomes the dominant strain in Wisconsin.

Demand is surging at the three community testing sites the city of Milwaukee runs. Back on Dec. 18, the city administered 458 tests. On Monday, Dec. 27, the city tested 1,875 people. Some have waited up to two hours.

"Just to be on the safe side, to get tested, to make sure everything is good, even though I’m vaccinated," said Yer Xiong. 

"It’s something that’s necessary," said Elizabeth Venable-Force. "It’s something behind our control, that we have to do. I don’t think anyone is happy with it, but this is life."

Milwaukee Acting Mayor Cavalier Johnson visited one of the city-run community testing centers and vaccination clinics Tuesday.

"Everybody in every neighborhood, kids that are eligible, everyone should get vaccinated," said Johnson. "That right there is the most effective tool that we have against COVID."

Less than 61% of 16 and older Milwaukeeans are fully vaccinated.

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"We are actually transferring people from our vaccine efforts to our testing effort, which is, frankly, very unfortunate," said Kirsten Johnson, Milwaukee health commissioner. "It tells you something. The demand for vaccines is low, and the demand for testing is high and I wish it were absolutely the opposite."

The city is looking to extend testing hours, but the health commissioner said staffing is a struggle, with employee burnout and even threats.

"We all have, e-mail, verbal," said Kirsten Johnson. "This has been an exhausting 21-22 months. It’s really a testament to the degree of commitment that the Milwaukee Health Department staff have this work because it is not easy."

Fifty-five people resigned from the Milwaukee Health Department this year, and nearly all exit surveys suggest the employees wanted a better work-life balance.

"People are exhausted," said Kirsten Johnson.

The testing takes a New Year's break, closed Friday and the weekend.

"I want us to have a staff next week to continue to test," said Kirsten Johnson. "Our staff have been working around the clock for almost two years."

Thursday is the last day the city’s community testing sites are open before the holiday, and if someone tests on Thursday, the city expects they should have results by the 1st.

• The Northwest Health Center and the Southside Health Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday – and noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.
• The Menomonee Valley Site will be open from noon to 6 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

If you need a test and want it for free, the Milwaukee Health Department encourages you to pre-register before coming to a testing site. You can also make an appointment with your primary care provider -- where insurance coverage and cost may vary.

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Full locations and hours for Milwaukee vaccine clinics and Milwaukee COVID testing can be found on the city's website.

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