For the City Times

STEVENS POINT – On July 8, Portage County Health and Human Services-Division of Public Health provided free community testing for COVID-19 with assistance from the Wisconsin National Guard. The testing was available to all Wisconsin residents who were experiencing symptoms or if they were a close contact to someone who tested positive for COVID-19.

Throughout the day, 447 individuals were tested, and at this time most of the tests have been processed. Of the 447 tests collected, 314 were from Portage County, one from Adams County, two from Clark County, one from Columbia County, one from Eau Claire County, one from Florence County, one from Kenosha County, two from Lincoln County, 26 from Marathon County, one from Marquette County, one from Oneida County, two from Outagamie County, two from out of state, four from Shawano County, 31 from Waupaca County, 16 from Waushara County, one from Winnebago County, and 40 from Wood County.

To date, there have been 18 positive cases identified, or 4 percent of the tests completed on July 8. Of those 18 positive cases, seven were from Portage County, eight from Waupaca County, one from Marathon County, and two from Wood County.

Portage County Division of Public Health is encouraging all community members to continue to follow social distancing guidelines and to stay home if you are feeling sick.

Officials continue to recommend avoiding nonessential travel outside of the community especially avoiding locations with high rates of COVID-19 cases.  Community members are encouraged to continue washing their hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, wearing a face covering or mask in public, and calling their healthcare provider if they feel sick.

People who are vulnerable, and at higher risk of severe complications of COVID-19, should stay home whenever possible. This includes people who are over 65, live in nursing homes or long-term care facilities, and individuals with underlying health conditions who are immunocompromised.

If you have questions or immediate needs related to COVID-19, call 2-1-1 or text COVID-19 to 211-211. For up-to-date information, visit the Portage County COVID-19 dashboard at https://coronavirus-responseportage-county-portagecowi.hub.arcgis.com.