Milwaukee Children As Young As One Now Being Tested For COVID-19

MILWAUKEE, WI — Following a modification of orders from the state’s chief medical officer, Milwaukee is now testing children as young as one year of age for COVID-19 at its community testing sites.

Previously, children had to be five years of age or older to be tested. The order from Dr. Ryan Westergaard was announced within the past several weeks.

The Milwaukee Health Department operates three fixed testing sites at the Southside Health Center, (1639 S. 23rd St.), the Northwest Health Center (7630 W. Mill Road), and American Family Field (formerly Miller Park at 1 Brewers Way). Hours of operation are listed at milwaukee.gov/covidtesting.

“We are excited by the changes to Dr. Westergaard’s order to allow for testing of young children. This age expansion allows parents and medical providers to access free testing at a time when many children are returning to preschool and daycare settings,” Milwaukee Health Department’s Dr. Heather Paradis said. “Testing is a necessary step to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the places where children live, learn, and play.”

All testing at the community sites is conducted with a PCR test which is collected through a nasal swab. Results are typically returned within 24-48 hours.

Testing of children seventeen years old or younger requires parental authorization. Parents should always contact their children’s regular medical provider first with concerns of illness.

However, community testing is available for those with known exposures and who do not require medical care.