Prevea Health expands access to free COVID testing

Prevea Health has expanded access to free COVID-19 testing.

“The ability to test more people for COVID-19 is critical in curbing the spread of the virus throughout our communities,” says Dr. Ashok Rai, President and CEO, Prevea Health. “This is especially important now as we see the state of Wisconsin trending upward in the number of positive COVID-19 cases in the last 14 days, and as we see an increase in the number of patients with symptoms of the virus seeking testing.”

As of Tuesday, the number of cases reported by the State of Wisconsin Department of Health was 70 in Shawano County; 49 in Oconto County and four in Menominee County.

Prevea Health began offering free COVID-19 testing at select sites in May. It is now available in 10 communities across the state including sites in Oconto Falls and Shawano. Testing is available to anyone in Wisconsin experiencing any of the following COVID-19 symptoms: Cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell.

Those experiencing any of the above symptoms and who wish to be tested must sign up on MyPrevea, which can be accessed at www.myprevea.com, or downloaded as an app on Apple or Google Play. Those wanting a test do not have to be an established Prevea patient to set up an account on MyPrevea or to access a free test.

Those tested are able to access their results within two to seven days through their MyPrevea account, which is safeguarded to ensure patient privacy and confidentiality.

Community members with further questions about free COVID-19 testing at Prevea Health locations in Eastern Wisconsin may call 920-431-1810.

Those who are experiencing severe and life-threatening COVID-19 symptoms should call 911. If they prefer to travel to an emergency room on their own, they should call the hospital prior to their arrival to explain their symptoms. This will provide the emergency department time to prepare for their arrival and be sure others in the area will be protected from the potential spread of infectious disease.

Local Prevea testing locations are: Prevea Shawano Health Center, 1300 East Green Bay St., Shawano, with testing performed inside health center; HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital Prevea Oconto Falls Health Center, 853 S. Main St., Oconto Falls, with testing at a drive-through located in front of the health center.