Holiday Travel: Where To Find A COVID-19 Test In Franklin

FRANKLIN, WI — If you're traveling to and from Franklin for Christmas and the holidays, or have relatives visiting, you may be looking for a site to get tested for COVID-19 to stay safe over the weekend.

In its holiday guidance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said those joining gatherings with multiple households should take additional measures like getting tested and avoiding crowded indoor places before traveling.

The CDC also cautions anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 should not travel until they end isolation. More advice from the CDC on traveling can be found on the agency's website.

For anyone who may be sick or has symptoms, the message is to stay home and away from others. They should also get tested for the virus as should anyone who may have been in close contact with a person who has COVID-19, the agency says.

The number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Wisconsin sharply increased in early December, and the Department of Health Services urged people to get vaccinated as omicron variant cases and Christmas family gatherings both draw closer.

The omicron variant, a recently discovered coronavirus mutation with the potential to be highly transmissible, was discovered in Wisconsin on Dec. 4. Health experts say they're waiting to see how transmissible the new variant is, the severity of its illness and how effective vaccines will hold against it.

Wisconsin hospitals are experiencing an overflow of COVID-19 patients, and Wisconsin Hospital Association data showed that over 1,600 Wisconsinites are in a hospital bed due to the virus. There are a total of 44 ICU beds left in the state as of Friday.

SSM Health Monroe Hospital has about 50 percent more patients than what the staff is meant to manage, hospital president Jane Curran-Meuli told WISC-TV. "Our ICU is 2-3 times higher to what we're staffed to, and there's no more staff," she said.

Health officials said most of the virus patients entering hospital and ICU beds in Wisconsin aren't fully vaccinated and urge people to get the shot before traveling.

Where To Find COVID-19 Testing Near Franklin

South Shore COVID-19 Testing Clinic
The South Shore COVID-19 testing clinic is open at 6077 S. Packard Avenue in Cudahy. The site is operated by multiple local health departments.

Meijer's Pharmacy
171 W Town Square Way, Oak Creek
To make an appointment call (414) 501-1710

Walgreen's Pharmacies
9909 West Loomis Road, 7130 South 76th Street,
Appointments required for testing. More information is available online.

City of Milwaukee Testing Free Sites

The City of Milwaukee has several free drive-thru and walk-up community COVID-19 testing sites for anyone 12-months or older, regardless of symptoms. The sites will be closed Dec. 24-26 and Dec. 31-Jan. 2.

Northwest Health Center
7630 West Mill Road
Drive-thru garage with entry at the Mill Road Library, 6431 North 76th Street
Monday and Friday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday: 12-6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Southside Health Center
1639 South 23rd Street
Drive-thru heated tent, entry on 24th Street
Monday and Friday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday: 12-6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Menomonee Valley Site
2401 West St. Paul Avenue
Drive-thru garage
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays: 12-6 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

More information about City of Milwaukee testing sites is available online.

Summit Clinical Laboratories

Summit Clinical Laboratories hosts COVID-19 testing clinics at locations across the Milwaukee area. Many locations may be closed on certain days during the holiday season.

There is a location at 7352 West Rawson Avenue in Franklin.

Walk-In Hours
Monday through Friday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.–12 p.m.

Holiday Hours
Closed on Dec. 25 and 26.
Dec. 24: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

More information is available on Summit's website.