DHS News  

DHS-Supported Community Testing Sites to Shift to Rapid Antigen Testing   

Throughout October, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services’ (DHS) Community Testing Support Program (CTSP) sites statewide are shifting to a new model of testing that first uses point of care (POC) antigen tests to provide rapid results to individuals. Testing sites will continue to provide PCR testing when confirmatory results are needed for individuals with symptoms who have a negative antigen result.     

To find a community testing site near you, visit our webpage. It is updated daily to show all testing sites that have been reported to DHS. The map and the list of sites include important information about each site’s requirements around appointments, walk-ins, age groups served, and contact information for the site. Anyone in need of testing is encouraged to contact their local testing site in advance to confirm hours, and any need for an appointment or pre-registration.   

Stay Healthy this Fall: COVID-19 At-Home Tests and Booster Shots Still Available with No Out-of-Pocket Cost   

DHS and the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) are reminding Wisconsinites that COVID-19 at-home tests and booster shots are still available with no out-of-pocket cost.  

DHS continues to urge all Wisconsinites to stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines. Updated COVID-19 boosters are recommended for everyone ages 12 and up and are designed to give broad protection against COVID-19, including better protection against the currently circulating Omicron variant. 

Pharmacies, health centers, and clinics are continuing to offer appointments at a variety of locations across the state. People are encouraged to check with their primary care provider, local or tribal health department or clinics, or visit vaccines.gov to find vaccination sites near them. Health plans are also required to cover the cost of COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters, through the end of the federally declared public health emergency.  

A full version of this release is available here. 

COVID-19 Testing Resources for You 

If you are feeling ill or if you may have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, using a COVID-19 self-test is a safe and highly effective method for detecting COVID-19 infection.

COVID-19 self-tests can be purchased at local pharmacy or retail stores, and each Wisconsin household is eligible to order a package of COVID-19 self-tests that contain five tests for free at sayyescovidhometest.org. All health plans are also required to cover the cost of over the counter, at-home rapid COVID-19 tests for their members. COVID-19 tests may either be covered by the insurer with no upfront cost or reimbursed by the insurer.

If you think any package of COVID-19 tests you have at home may be expired, check before you throw it out!! The FDA has extended the expiration dates for many of the COVID-19 self-tests that are widely available at stores and pharmacies. To check if your package of COVID-19 tests has an extended expiration date, people can find more information here on all the FDA-authorized brands, as well as specific information on iHealth brand tests that includes a tool to search your package’s expiration here.

In addition to at-home self-tests, community testing sites remain accessible across Wisconsin. Find a site near you by dialing 211 or visiting the DHS Community Testing information page.  

Keeping Wisconsin Kids Healthy 

Children and teens are at risk for serious COVID-19 illness and can spread the virus to others—even if they don’t have symptoms. Updated COVID-19 vaccines are now recommended for everyone ages 12 and older. For resources to support your family’s health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit the COVID-19 Resources for Parents and Guardians page. 

Know the Facts: COVID-19 Vaccines and Pregnant People 

Experts in fertility, maternal care, and public health strongly urge all individuals who are pregnant now or are wanting to have children in the future to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Pregnant people are at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Getting sick from COVID-19 infection when pregnant can cause preterm birth, stillbirth, and other pregnancy complications. 

Millions of people have safely gotten the COVID-19 vaccine, thousands of whom have given birth or become pregnant after getting the vaccine. Studies looking into the safety and effect of vaccines on fertility and pregnancy have all shown that the COVID-19 vaccines are safe for people who are pregnant, or who want to have a child in the future. There is currently no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines cause fertility problems in women or men. Vaccination either before conception or early during pregnancy is the best way to reduce maternal and fetal complications. Vaccinated people are far less likely than unvaccinated people to get COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccination will help keep you from getting severely sick, being hospitalized, or dying from COVID-19. 

Dive deeper into this topic by visiting our COVID-19 Vaccine Fertility webpage. 

COVID-19 Therapeutics 

Most people who get COVID-19 have mild illness and can treat themselves at home with rest, hydration, and over-the-counter medications to decrease fever and discomfort. For people at higher risk of experiencing severe COVID-19 illness, medications called monoclonal antibodies and oral antivirals are available throughout the state.