Washburn County Increases COVID-19 Testing Capacity

Press Release

All Washburn County residents with symptoms of COVID-19 are now able to be tested.

By following the Safer at Home order and practicing good social distancing, we have been able to flatten the curve and, as of now, avoid a surge that would overwhelm our healthcare system. We want to return to some sense of “normal” and open everything back up as much as everyone else, but we need to make sure that we do it safely.

Widespread testing is a critical step in returning to normal life. We need to be able to identify people with COVID-19 so that we are able to quarantine them and conduct contact tracing. Through the contact tracing process, we identify individuals who have had close contact with confirmed cases and are at risk of developing the virus. Both confirmed cases and close contacts are quarantined in order to prevent them from spreading the virus further in the community.

Testing has now expanded countywide to all individuals with symptoms of COVID-19. Symptoms may include fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, and body aches. A full list of symptoms can be found on the county’s Coronavirus Outbreak page. Individuals without symptoms WILL NOT be tested.

In order to be tested, individuals must be screened and obtain a provider’s order for testing. Please follow the instructions of the provider you are seeking testing from. If you do not have a provider, follow the instructions for Essentia Health screening. All clinics and hospitals in Washburn County are conducting testing with the following instructions:

Northlakes Community Clinic: If you are a patient who normally seeks care at Northlakes Community Clinic-Minong experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, you should call the clinic at 715-466-2201 for screening and to speak to a medical provider.

Indianhead Medical Center/Shell Lake Clinic: If you are a patient who normally seeks care at IMC/Shell Lake Clinic experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, you should call the clinic at 715-468- 2711 for screening and to speak to a medical provider.

Spooner Health & Essentia Health-Spooner Clinic: If you are a patient who normally seeks care at Essentia Health-Spooner Clinic or Spooner Health OR do not have an established care provider and are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, you should call the Essentia Health Screening Hotline to be screened for testing at Spooner Health. You MUST be screened and have orders for testing from a provider. For screening, call 833-494-0836 or visit https://www.essentiahealth.org/covid-19/covid-19- screening/.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and are denied testing call the Health Department at 715-635-4400. For more information: https://www.co.washburn.wi.us/news/public-health/Coronavirus-Outbreak