Thousand people expected to be tested each day at Winona COVID-19 mass testing event

Sep. 15--A steady stream of cars entered the free COVID-19 test site in Winona Tuesday, as about 315 tests were completed by about 12:20 p.m.

The testing only opened at 11 a.m., with 100 tests having been completed in the first 45 minutes.

Ben Klinger, Winona County Emergency Management coordinator, said that as of 1 p.m. the testing had gone smoothly, taking about three minutes for people who were already registered.

As for people not registered at the time of arrival, he said he tested out the situation when he initially arrived to the Winona State University parking lot location and he said that he was able to complete it without problems.

Klinger said it only takes about five to six minutes for people who are not preregistered.

He shared that Emergency Management, who teamed up with the state health department, local public health officials and local higher education institutes for this opportunity, hope that at least 1,000 people will be tested at the site each day.

In total, about 2,600 test kits are available to be used during the Tuesday and Wednesday event.

"(With mass testing) we can identify cases early because as we found out sometimes we can be asymptomatic and spread the virus and not even know. So we can identify those cases early and isolate those people to slow the spread down," Klinger said.

He said that the actual test is done through the nose, with a swab only going into the nostrils by about an inch.

Klinger said that the shallow procedure is not painful, and may simply cause a person's eyes to water slightly.

For those nervous about getting tested, Klinger said, "They should come down and get tested. There's nothing to worry about, all the people are very helpful, very friendly. They'll walk you through, they'll talk you through the whole process. It's a very easy process."

He said that he and other staff members hope to make a video for social media in the near future showing how easy the testing process can be.

The mass testing event is hosted from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday at WSU's Integrated Wellness Center complex parking lot.

People can drive-thru and be tested or walk up to event for testing.

No insurance is required and all tests are free.

Anybody can be tested, as symptoms of COVID-19 are not required.

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