FLORENCE, Wis. –Florence County Health Department is collaborating with the Wisconsin National Guard to provide free COVID-19 testing.

The National Guard drive-through COVID-19 testing event will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 6 and Dec. 4 behind the Natural Resource Center, 5628 Forestry Drive in Florence. To enter, take the second road on the right behind resource center. Pre-registration will be available within 24 hours of the event at http://register.covidconnect.wi.gov.

No appointments are necessary. Anyone age 5 and older are eligible.

This event is only available to people who live or work in Wisconsin. Individuals getting tested should be prepared to provide a current address, county of residence and phone number when they arrive. Testing will be first-come, first-served and attendees may have to wait to be tested. Vehicles will form a line while waiting for testing, and all attendees must stay in their vehicle at all times. No restrooms will be available onsite, so plan accordingly.

The National Guard will collect nasal swabs while in uniform and in full personal protective equipment, including gowns, mask and gloves. The polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, test that will be used is more than 99% accurate. The National Guard will send an email and/or make phone calls to both positive and negative cases. Generally, test results are known within four to five days of sample submission.

Alternative testing sites will be offered in Wisconsin throughout November and the beginning of December. Any state resident can attend any one of the testing events. For more information, go to the Centers for Disease Control’s website, the Department of Health Services website, or the Florence County Health Department’s Facebook page or website at http://www.florencecountywi.com/.