Apr. 27, 2020 5:05p; Updated 4-29 11:30a
(WGTD)---With lab capacity and supplies increasing and testing kits becoming more plentiful, authorities in Kenosha County want to make sure they're ready to handle a greater influx of people who are eligible for COVID-19 testing.
A testing station that is designed to serve over 250 residents per day opened Wednesday in the parking lot of Gateway Technical College's Kenosha campus. Only about 61 tests per day on average are currently performed in Kenosha County, according to Kenosha County Health Officer Jen Freiheit.
Up until now, tests were limited to people showing symptoms and who had a doctor's order. Under a loosening of restrictions, a health department staffer who's investigating a confirmed patient's "close contacts" can now make a referral.
The Gateway site is a partnership between the school, the Kenosha Community Health Center and the county's Division of Health.
Technicians at the drive-thru perform a nasal swab. The results are available between 24 and 48 hours.
Eventually, the site could perform antibody testing and administer vaccine.
It's all an effort to better contain the virus, according to Freiheit. The new testing site has been in the planning stages for over a month.
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